Gardner’s Shutout Lifts Owls Past Hilltoppers

Friday, March 25

Boca Raton, Fla.

6:00 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

17-16, 0

(RV) WKU

21-6, 0

Western Kentucky

Florida Atlantic

Photo by: JC Ridley/Owlpix.com

3/25/2022 8:40:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Lynn Gardner pitched a complete game shutout for the Florida Atlantic University softball team on Friday night. Behind Gardner's gem, FAU defeated WKU 1-0. The series is a battle for first place in the Conference USA East division, as the Owls and Hilltoppers are now tied atop the standings at 5-2 in C-USA play.

FAU improved to 17-16 on the campaign, while WKU dipped to 21-6. The Hilltoppers are also receiving votes in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Coaches poll.

Owls Strike in the First Inning

FAU got the only run of the game right away in the first inning. Kaitlyn Cunningham reached on an error then stole second base. Two batters later, Sara Berthiaume ripped a line drive RBI triple to center field. The triple was the fifth of the season for the Owls' leading hitter. Berthiaume's batting average now stands at a team-high .379.

Scoring first has been a recipe for success for FAU this season. The Owls are now 14-1 in games that they score first in.

Gardner Mows Down the Hilltoppers

Gardner found a groove and retired nine consecutive WKU batters from the second to the fifth inning. In the fifth, the Hilltoppers poised a threat with runners on first and second and one out. Gardner worked out of the jam by getting a foul out and fly out to preserve the lead and keep FAU in front.

The fifth-inning threat was the only legitimate scoring chance for WKU, as it did not get another baserunner until there were two outs in the seventh inning.

Quick Hitters

Gardner's shutout was her sixth of the year. Prior to tonight, the senior left-hander ranked eighth in the nation in shutouts. She allowed only two singles in the win tonight
The complete game was Gardner's 11th of the year
Gardner improved to 9-5 with the win, and her ERA now stands at 2.49
Berthiaume also recorded a double to go 2-for-3 on the day
Cunningham went 1-for-3 with a run scored

Game Two on Deck Tomorrow

The Owls will look to clinch the series in game two tomorrow, with first pitch at 4 p.m.

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