No. 21 Owls Defeat Bulls to Win Season Series

Sunday, April 6

Boca Raton, Fla.

12 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

34-7, 13-2

South Florida

30-12-1, 9-5-1

South Fla.

Florida Atlantic

Photo by: Keira Arimenta

4/6/2025 7:03:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Ben Paul

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The No. 21 Florida Atlantic softball team clinched its eighth straight American Athletic Conference series with a 5-1 victory over South Florida on Sunday afternoon.

In the series tiebreaker between the top two teams in the AAC, the Owls (34-7, 13-2) used three runs in the second inning and two more in the sixth to handle the Bulls (30-12-1, 9-5-1) for the second time and grow their lead in the league standings.

Junior pitcher Autumn Courtney delivered 5.2 shutout innings in her 17th win of the season before making way for Ainsley Lambert's nation-leading eighth save. Sophomore Bella Cimino, who had previously checked in off the bench to play first base, then delivered a solo home run in the bottom half of the sixth for the dagger.

THE BEGINNING

The Owls' defense was put to the test in the top of the first with one out and bases loaded. FAU passed with high marks, as sophomore shortstop Kiley Channell caught the popup and freshman outfielder Bella Foran retrieved the flyout to end the frame with no runs allowed.

In the bottom of the second, the Owls logged their first three hits, all coming consecutively and culminating in the game's opening run off an RBI single from sophomore Ciara Gibson. Two more singles during the inning loaded the bases, leading to a two-run hit from redshirt sophomore outfielder Kiley Hammonds to build a 3-0 lead.

THE TURNING POINT

The two teams traded five scoreless innings with Courtney retiring the next eight batters and not allowing a hit between the second and fifth.

Lambert, the nation's best closer, stepped into a bases loaded situation with no outs and a 2-0 count in the top of the sixth. With potential go-ahead runs on base, the senior pitcher struck out two batters to ultimately retire the side.

THE FINISH

On the opening pitch in the bottom half of the sixth, Cimino launched the ball to right field for her third home run of the season and a 4-0 lead. The Owls were not done, with a single up the middle from Channell being enough to score Foran.

The Bulls got on the board in the top of the seventh with their only run via a sacrifice fly before the final out.

NOTES/NOTABLE

The Owls have won eight straight AAC series dating back to 2024.
Channell extended her hit streak to 11 games.
With a 2-for-3 day at the plate and a hit-by-pitch, Hammonds has reached base in 37 out of 41 games this season. She also added two RBI.
Courtney moves to 17-1 on the season and sits atop the conference with a 1.85 ERA, 116 strikeouts, and .163 opposing batting average.
Lambert grows her national lead in saves, now at eight.

QUOTABLE

Postgame with @CoachJordanSB #WIP🏝️ pic.twitter.com/DVgAfcQgOH
— Florida Atlantic Softball (@FAUSoftball) April 6, 2025

UP NEXT

Florida Atlantic remains at home for a series against North Texas (28-12, 10-5) from Friday, April 11 to Sunday, April 13 on ESPN+.

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.