Owls Blank Blue Raiders in Opener

Friday, April 1

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

7:00 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

19-17, 7-3

Middle Tennessee

15-20, 2-5

Florida Atlantic

Middle Tennessee

Photo by: Mauricio Paiz

4/1/2022 10:26:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Florida Atlantic University softball team took the opening game of the series against Middle Tennessee on Friday. The Blue Raiders grabbed an early 2-0 lead, but then the Owls scored the last five runs of the game to take the 5-2 victory.

FAU improves to 19-17 and 7-3 in Conference USA action. The Owls are still in first place in the east division.

How it was Decided

The Blue Raiders plated a pair in the bottom of the second, but FAU countered to take the lead with a three-spot in the third inning. Olivia Peterson launched a leadoff solo homer to center field on the first pitch she saw. The round-tripper was the FAU catcher's second of the season.

Later in the third inning, Riley Ennis knocked in Maya Amm with an RBI groundout, and Sara Berthiaume drove in Sommer Baker with a two-out RBI single to get the Owls in front.

After allowing the two runs in the second inning, FAU starting pitcher Lynn Gardner shut down the Middle Tennessee bats. Gardner allowed only one more hit the rest of the night after the second inning. She improved her record to 11-5 this year with the win, and the complete game was her 13th of the season.

Ennis tacked on an insurance run in the seventh inning with a solo home run. The junior blasted one to left field, and there was no doubt about it off the crack of the bat to give FAU a 5-2 lead.

Ennis went 1-for-4 with the two RBI and the home run. Berthiaume collected two hits in a 2-for-4, two-RBI night. Baker scored a pair of runs for the Owls.

Game Two Tomorrow

The Owls and Blue Raiders will battle in game two tomorrow at 5 p.m. eastern.

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