Florida Atlantic University Athletics

Photo by: Christian Proscia
No. 22 Owls Trounce UTSA with Season-High in Runs
3/29/2025 6:06:00 PM | Softball
SAN ANTONIO – The No. 22 Florida Atlantic softball team's offense reached new heights in a 14-3 win over UTSA on Saturday afternoon to clinch its seventh consecutive American Athletic Conference series.
In another run-rule victory, the Owls (31-5, 10-1) needed just five innings to put a season-high 14 on the board against the Roadrunners (14-18, 2-9). Sophomores Ciara Gibson and Kiley Channell both put up career days at the plate, with the former going 3-for-4 including a home run, and a grand slam with five RBI from the latter. The Owls have now hit a grand slam in back-to-back games.
Senior pitcher Gabby Sacco made the start in the circle and picked up the win to move to 6-1.
After allowing UTSA to plate its first run of the series in the bottom of the first, Sacco and the defense retired seven Roadrunners in a row.
Back-to-back RBI singles from Guzman, her second of the day, and sophomore first baseman Bella Cimino upped the advantage before two FAU runners capitalized on a UTSA throwing error, scoring after a single from Channell to go up 8-1.
Chanell then launched a grand slam to give the Owls their season-high in runs.
Senior pitcher Ainsley Lambert checked in the bottom of the fourth in a non-save opportunity to deliver the final five outs, including two strikeouts in the closing inning.
In another run-rule victory, the Owls (31-5, 10-1) needed just five innings to put a season-high 14 on the board against the Roadrunners (14-18, 2-9). Sophomores Ciara Gibson and Kiley Channell both put up career days at the plate, with the former going 3-for-4 including a home run, and a grand slam with five RBI from the latter. The Owls have now hit a grand slam in back-to-back games.
Senior pitcher Gabby Sacco made the start in the circle and picked up the win to move to 6-1.
THE BEGINNING
Redshirt sophomore outfielder Kylie Hammonds opened the day with a leadoff hit,the first of four consecutive Owls to reach base. Junior catcher Chloe Yeatts walked to bring home Hammonds for the game's first run, followed by a sacrifice fly from junior third baseman Jesiana Mora and an RBI single from junior first baseman Yani Guzman to build a 3-0 lead.After allowing UTSA to plate its first run of the series in the bottom of the first, Sacco and the defense retired seven Roadrunners in a row.
THE TURNING POINT
Seven straight Owl batters reached base in the top of the third, leading to a five-run explosion. A walk from Mora was followed by Gibson's triple for the first score of the inning. Back-to-back RBI singles from Guzman, her second of the day, and sophomore first baseman Bella Cimino upped the advantage before two FAU runners capitalized on a UTSA throwing error, scoring after a single from Channell to go up 8-1.
THE FINISH
Gibson hit a no-doubt solo shot in the top of the fourth inning, her second of the season, to put the game in run-rule territory. The Owls soon loaded the bases yet again with Hammonds drawing the walk for FAU's 10th run.Chanell then launched a grand slam to give the Owls their season-high in runs.
Senior pitcher Ainsley Lambert checked in the bottom of the fourth in a non-save opportunity to deliver the final five outs, including two strikeouts in the closing inning.
QUOTABLE
Postgame with Coach Clark #WIP🏝️ pic.twitter.com/SQNy7SlIMx
— Florida Atlantic Softball (@FAUSoftball) March 29, 2025
NOTES/NOTABLE
- The Owls posted double digit runs in back-to-back conference games for the first time since 2018.
- Florida Atlantic has outscored UTSA 27-3 and have six home runs through two games.
- The Owls remain on top of the AAC standings with a 10-1 record and have won seven consecutive league series' dating back to 2024.
- Channell finished 2-for-2 at the plate with a walk in addition to her grand slam and single. Her five RBI is a career high.
- Gibson's triple was the first of her collegiate career. She came up a double short of the cycle.
- Hammonds has reached base in 32 out of 36 games this season.
- Guzman's 2-for-2 day at the plate is the first multi-hit outing of her career.
- Freshman outfielder Bella Foran recorded her 49th hit, the most in the AAC, and is on a career-best eight-game streak.
- Lambert's ERA drops to a conference-best 1.62 ERA.
UP NEXT
Sunday's finale begins at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+ with the Owls looking for their third sweep of the season in AAC play. FOLLOW THE OWLS
For the Owls' complete schedule, click HERE. To follow the team socially, visit @fausoftball, or for the most up-to-date information, go to www.fausports.com.Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Sacco, Gabby (6-1)
L: M. Schmitt (4-3)

Batting:
2B: Cimino, Bella 1
3B: Gibson, Ciara 1
HR: Channell, Kiley 1 ; Gibson, Ciara 1
RBI: Hammonds, Kylie 1 ; Channell, Kiley 5 ; Yeatts, Chloe 1 ; Mora, Jesiana 1 ; Gibson, Ciara 2 ; Guzman, Yani 2 ; Cimino, Bella 1
SF: Mora, Jesiana 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hammonds, Kylie 2 ; Channell, Kiley 2 ; Johns, Destiny 1 ; Mora, Jesiana 1 ; Gibson, Ciara 2 ; Guzman, Yani 2 ; Cimino, Bella 2 ; Foran, Bella 2
SB: Mora, Jesiana 1 ; Guzman, Yani 1
HBP: Channell, Kiley 1

Batting:
RBI: M. Madrid 1 ; C. Robillard 2
Base Running:
RUNS: S. Wick 1 ; M. Madrid 1 ; K. Reyes 1
SB: S. Wick 1
HBP: K. Rochinski 1
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