No. 24 Owls Win Second Straight Versus Shockers

Saturday, March 8

Boca Raton, Fla.

2 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

23-4, 2-0

Wichita State

10-11, 0-2

Wichita St.

Florida Atlantic

Photo by: JC Ridley

3/8/2025 7:36:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Ben Paul

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The No. 24 Florida Atlantic softball team clinched its first American Athletic Conference series of the season with a 4-1 victory over Wichita State on Saturday afternoon.

In another close outing between the top two teams in the preseason AAC Coaches' Poll, the Owls (23-4, 2-0) notched 10 hits, led by freshman outfielder Bella Foran going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, to beat the Shockers (10-11, 0-2).

Junior pitcher Jaden Martinez earned the win (4-2) with a stellar start, not allowing a hit until the fourth inning and holding Wichita State scoreless through the first five. Senior Ainsley Lambert, the nation's top closer, then entered the circle to pick up the final five outs and the save.

THE BEGINNING

Sophomore shortstop Kiley Channell made key plays in the infield on defense to keep the Shockers scoreless early on.

A leadoff double from junior third baseman Jesiana Mora in the bottom of the second marked the first hit of the day for either team. The Owls kept launching the ball deep, eventually scoring Mora off a sacrifice fly from junior Chloe Yeatts for the first run of the game.

THE TURNING POINT

In the bottom of the third inning, Foran reached base with a leadoff single. Channell then stepped up to the plate and recorded a deep double to left center to bring the freshman home and build a 2-0 lead.

Florida Atlantic loaded the bases twice in the bottom of the fifth, with Foran adding her second run of the afternoon off a sacrifice from freshman Destiny Johns. The Shockers responded in the top of the sixth with the leadoff batter recording a single and eventually scoring to cut the deficit to 3-1.

THE FINISH

Lambert entered the circle with one out on the board in the sixth and made quick work of Wichita State batters, retiring the final five.

The Owls tacked on their fourth run of the day in their final series of at-bats. Senior Abby Ota entered the game as a pinch hitter and recorded her second hit of the season and eventually scored after advancing two bases from a Shocker error.

QUOTABLE

Coach Clark postgame thoughts #WIP🏝️ pic.twitter.com/KSJ35Atf2v
— Florida Atlantic Softball (@FAUSoftball) March 8, 2025

NOTES/NOTABLE

Head Coach Jordan Clark stands at 99 career wins, all coming in her two-and-a-half years at FAU.
Lambert continues to lead the nation in saves, now at seven. Her ERA of 1.40 is also the lowest in the AAC.
The Owls have allowed one run or less in 11 games this season.
Martinez' ERA drops to 2.15. FAU owns three of the four lowest ERAs in the conference.
Redshirt sophomore Kylie Hammonds went 2-for-4 at the plate. She has reached base in 24 out of 27 games this season and is on a five-game hitting streak, recording a multi-hit game in four of them.
After each recording an RBI, Johns and Yeatts remain tied for the team lead at 25.

UP NEXT

The Owls' final game of their opening AAC series will take place on Sunday, Mar. 9, airing on ESPN+. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m.

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.