Owls Fall on Walk-Off Home Run

Friday, March 20

Wichita, Kan.

7:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

20-10, 3-4

Wichita State

17-10, 5-2

Florida Atlantic

Wichita State

Photo by: Keira Arimenta

3/20/2026 11:12:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Ben Paul

WICHITA, Kans. – One swing of the bat gave the Florida Atlantic softball team a loss, with Wichita State launching a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to win 3-2 on Friday evening.

The Owls (20-10, 3-4) put forth seven hits and an impressive defensive outing, but it was not enough to counter three homers by the Shockers (17-10, 5-2).

THE BEGINNING
It was the bottom of the lineup that got it going for the Owls in the top of the second, with a single by senior catcher Chloe Yeatts and a walk by sophomore second baseman Destiny Johns putting a runner in scoring position before being retired.

Making the start in the circle, senior pitcher Autumn Courtney yielded two hits in the bottom of the first inning but worked her way out of a jam and proceeded to go 1-2-3 in each of the next two frames.

THE TURNING POINT
Wichita State struck first with a home run in the bottom of the fourth to go up 1-0. The Owls countered in the following frame with loading the bases via a hit-by-pitch, double, and walk, but no one was able to score.

Singles by senior first baseman Yani Guzman and Johns to lead off the sixth put FAU in position to score once again. Entering as a pinch hitter, redshirt senior McKenna Mulholland's hit to right field was deep enough to score two to take a 2-1 lead while giving herself a triple.

THE FINISH
The Shockers tied it in the bottom of the sixth with a lead-off home run to left field. Courtney exited in favor of graduate pitcher Ainsley Lambert who delivered the necessary outs.

Florida Atlantic juiced the bases for the second time in the top of the seventh before a groundout ended the inning. In the final frame, Wichita State got on base with a single before sophomore shortstop Hannah Rivers and Guzman combined forces for a double play. Down to their final out, the Shockers launched a shot to left field that was just enough in fair territory for the victory.

NOTES/NOTABLE

With a walk on the evening, sophomore Lily Holtje has reached base safely in 22 consecutive games.
Guzman recorded her sixth multi-hit game in the month of March.
Mulholland's triple was her first as an Owl and fifth of her collegiate career.
Rivers had a season high four putouts and two assists at shortstop.

UP NEXT
Saturday's first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET 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.