Gardner Homers, Shuts Out FIU in CUSA Opener

Sunday, March 21

Miami, Fla.

3 PM

Florida Atlantic

6-18, 1-0

FIU

8-12, 0-1

FAU

FIU

3/21/2021 7:52:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University softball team opened the 2021 Conference USA season Sunday afternoon at FIU. Lynn Gardner held the Panthers to three hits while FAU (6-18, 1-0 C-USA) tallied 14 hits in the Owls' league-opening 8-0 six-inning victory over FIU (8-12, 0-1 C-USA).

Joyce's Take

"We played a very good game today," said Joan Joyce, FAU's head coach. "Defensively, we were solid. Hitting we hit the ball very well. Lynn [Gardner] was awesome…in the sixth inning we hit the ball all over the place against their No. 1 pitcher. It was a very successful day to defeat them in 8-0 in six innings."

How it Happened

The day really belonged to Gardner. The lefty hurler hit a lead-off homer in the top of the second on a 2-0 count to supply what would ultimately be the only run the Owls would need in the win. She then returned to the circle to hold FIU scoreless through the next three frames until her teammates could give her a little cushion
In the top of the fifth, Maya Amm led off the inning with a single. She was lifted for pinch runner Sommer Baker, who moved to second on a sacrifice. Sara Berthiaume singled to send Baker to third and eventually home to score on an FIU error for the 2-0 lead
The sixth saw the flood gates open with six Owl hits and, better yet, six Owl runs
Gardner returned to the circle and just like the previous five frames, she held FIU scoreless allowing FAU to take the early six-inning victory

Statistically

The Kaitlyns, Burke and Cunningham, were 2-for-4 on the day with Cunningham adding to her nationally ranked triple total of four and contributing four RBI
Berthiaume, FAU's lead-off hitter, joined the 2-for-4 trio, who were 1-2-3 in the lineup, and she had an RBI
Fayth Davis and Gardner, who homered, were 2-for-3
Amm was 2-for-2 and Bailey Story was 1-for-2
Gardner faced 21 batters in the six-inning shutout, gave up three hits and retired seven while walking just one. She improved to 4-8 on the year and to 1-0 in C-USA play

What's Next
The Owls will play host to FIU in a three-game conference series in Boca Raton on April 1 and 2.^.The April Fools' double-header is scheduled for 5 p.m. and the single game on Friday is slated for 6 p.m. To follow the team socially, visit @fausoftball or for the most up-to-date information go to www.fausports.com.