CLEARWATER, Fla. – The No. 23 Florida Atlantic softball team were defeated twice on day two of the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational, falling to No. 2 Tennessee by a score of 8-0 in six innings and then a 2-0 decision to Missouri.
Continuing to be put to the test against powerhouse opponents, the Owls (5-4) were in position to score runs, but ultimately could not cross home plate against SEC teams the Volunteers (8-0) and Tigers (3-7).
GAME ONE
In her collegiate debut and starting in the circle, freshman
Madilyn Byrd allowed two runs before making way for senior
Madison Inscoe, who initially started the game at first base. After two no-hit frames, the Volunteers added five runs in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings, with a winning RBI double in the bottom of the sixth.
The Owls reached base via hits from sophomore second baseman
Destiny Johns, Inscoe, and sophomore outfielder
Bella Foran as well as hit by pitches on redshirt senior
McKenna Mulholland and freshman
Lily Lowery. Johns found herself at third base off the hit from Inscoe in the top frame of the second but was thrown at trying to head home.
GAME TWO
Back-to-back hits from Johns and senior third baseman
Jesiana Mora put two runners in scoring position in the top of the first before two outs retired the side. FAU nearly scored in the top of the third when Foran reached first base on an error and later advanced to third but was ruled out at home plate to end the frame.
A scoreless start was broken by the Tigers in the bottom of the third with a two-run triple. Missouri's offense was held in check the rest of the way, but the Owls could not find a run of their own.
NOTES/NOTABLE
- Johns recorded the Owls' first double of the tournament.
- Mora had a single against Missouri to improve her batting average to a team-best .500.
- Holtje recorded her 10th hit of the season.
- Checking in the bottom of the fourth against the Tigers, graduate Ainsley Lambert pitched a perfect 2.1 innings.
UP NEXT
To close out their time in Clearwater, the Owls will face James Madison on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. The game will be played on the Eddie C Moore Softball Complex's Field 1 and not be televised.
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