Owls Run-Rule Hoosiers to Open Season

Thursday, February 5

Boca Raton, Fla.

6:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

1-0

Indiana

0-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Indiana	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1
Florida Atlantic	1	0	0	2	5	8	8	0

Photo by: Keira Arimenta

2/5/2026 9:46:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Ben Paul

BOCA RATON, Fla. – In its 2026 season opener, the Florida Atlantic softball team needed just five innings to put together an 8-0 shutout victory over Indiana on Thursday evening at FAU Softball Stadium.

The Owls (1-0) had a complete performance, with an eight-strikeout performance from senior pitcher Autumn Courtney and a five-run fifth inning on offense to put the game away over the Hoosiers (0-1) and record their first shutout to open a season since 2017.

THE BEGINNING
Courtney recorded two straight strikeouts to retire Indiana in the top of the first.

Picking up right where she left off from her breakout season in '25, redshirt junior outfielder Kylie Hammonds launched leadoff a solo shot to left center field for the 1-0 lead.

THE TURNING POINT
Continuing to deliver from the circle, Courtney recorded seven strikeouts in the first four innings, including four in a row.

Back-to-back RBI in the bottom of the fourth, first from a double by junior outfielder Kiley Shelton and then redshirt senior infielder McKenna Mulholland, upped the score to 3-0.

THE FINISH
The bottom of the fifth saw an explosion of runs by the Owls to win the game. Back-to-back RBI singles, coming courtesy of sophomore Destiny Johns and senior Jesiana Mora, gave the Owls a 5-0 lead.

A bases-loaded walk from senior Yani Guzman off the bench put six on the board, and Mulholland ended the night with a two-run double.

NOTES/NOTABLE

The 8-0 win over Indiana is FAU's first run-rule victory over a power conference opponent since 2009. The Owls are 7-3 versus power conference teams in the last two seasons.
Courtney allowed just three hits to go with her eight strikeouts.
Hammonds, the reigning conference leader in on-base percentage in 2025, reached in all three plate appearances with a homer, walk, and hit by pitch.
Mulholland finished her Owl debut with two hits and three RBI.
Also recording multiple hits on the night was Mora.

QUOTABLE

Postgame with Coach Jordan#WIP🏝️ pic.twitter.com/L7wrAh45uJ
— Florida Atlantic Softball (@FAUSoftball) February 6, 2026

GALLERY

Gallery: (2-5-2026) SB vs Indiana

UP NEXT
As part of day two of the Paradise Classic, the Owls will face Ohio State on Friday at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

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.