CONWAY, S.C. – Florida Atlantic's softball team opened its stint at the Beach Chicken Brawl with two wins, defeating Binghamton, 11-1, and host Coastal Carolina, 7-1, on Saturday.
The Owls (14-6) needed just five innings to defeat the Bearcats (1-10) for their fifth run-rule victory of the season before scoring seven runs in the final two innings to outlast the Chanticleers (8-8).
GAME ONE
While the Bearcats struck first with an RBI double to go up 1-0, the Owls quickly responded in the bottom of the first, with five batters reaching base before their first out. Redshirt junior outfielder
Kylie Hammonds was hit by a pitch in the leadoff at-bat and she was soon scored by sophomore
Lily Holtje on a single to tie the game.
Two more came home at the next plate appearance off a double by senior third baseman
Jesiana Mora, with Mora then scoring on a wild pitch to build a 4-1 lead. In the bottom of the fourth, eight different Owl runners reached base to score four more runs.
Opening the bottom of the fifth with a double by junior outfielder
Kiley Shelton and senior catcher
Chloe Yeatts reaching on a fielder's choice, it was junior
Karson Davey who put the game away with her first home run of the season, a three-run shot for the run rule.
In the first 2.1 innings, freshman pitcher
Makenna Lee tied her collegiate career high with five strikeouts and ended the day with a new best of seven.
GAME TWO
Neither team could find a run through the first four innings. In the top of the fourth, the Owls threatened with a hit by Holtje followed by a Mora walk. Freshman
Lily Lowery, entering as a pinch runner, attempted to score from second base but was thrown out at home plate.
Senior pitcher
Autumn Courtney held Chanticleer batters in check, yielding just one hit to go with five strikeouts in her first four frames. A scoreless start was broken in the bottom of the fifth with a double followed by a bunt and single to advance the Coastal Carolina runner home for a 1-0 lead.
Hammonds answered back to lead off the top of the sixth with her team-leading fourth homer of the year. The Owls then loaded the bases with a
Hannah Rivers double followed by back-to-back walks from Holtje and Mora and capitalized off three consecutive Coastal Carolina errors to score five runs, ending the frame up 6-1.
Davey added an RBI single in the top of the seventh and Courtney finished it off in the circle for her first complete game of the season, retiring seven of the last eight batters to end the day.
NOTES/NOTABLE
- The Owls have scored at least five runs in each of the last seven games.
- Against Coastal Carolina, Mora tied the single-game program record with four walks, last achieved in 2019 by Madisyn Palmer against Charlotte. Mora has reached base in 14 out of 15 appearances this season.
- Holtje has reached base safely in 12 consecutive games.
- Hammonds was hit by a pitch in the opening at-bat of both games. With 17 in her collegiate career, she now ties the all-time program record.
- Lee improves to 4-0 in the circle while Courtney moves to 5-4 with a team-best 42 strikeouts.
- The Owls have won eight of their last nine games. In seven of those wins, FAU has allowed one or fewer runs.
QUOTABLE
UP NEXT
The Owls return to the field early Sunday morning for the final day of the Beach Chicken Brawl. First up is a rematch against Binghamton at 9 a.m. followed by Saint Joseph's at 11:30 a.m. Both games can be followed via StatBroadcast.
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.