BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic softball team set its season-high run total to defeat Florida Gulf Coast by a score of 14-5 on Wednesday evening on Joan Joyce Field at FAU Softball Stadium.
In their final game before American Conference play begins, the Owls (17-6) took care of the Eagles (5-15) in six innings to record their seventh run-rule win of the season and fifth straight victory to remain a perfect 12-0 at home. FAU scored at least one run in each inning.
THE BEGINNING
After a couple of quick Eagle runs to open the top of the first, the Owls exploded with five runs off seven straight baserunners, culminating in senior first baseman
Yani Guzman stealing home. Guzman grew the lead to 6-1 in the bottom of the second, scoring senior third baseman
Jesiana Mora.
Checking in at the top of the first frame, freshman pitcher
Makenna Lee quieted FGCU, striking out three straight batters in her first two innings.
THE TURNING POINT
The two teams traded a run off a sacrifice fly in the third inning. With the Owls up 7-3 and the bases loaded in the top of the fourth, graduate pitcher
Ainsley Lambert entered and mitigated the damage, keeping the game within two runs.
Redshirt junior outfielder
Kylie Hammonds led off the bottom of the fourth with a double. Sophomore
Lily Holtje brought her home, launching a two-run home run to left field to go up 9-5.
Lambert continued to impress in the circle with three straight strikeouts and retiring the final six batters.
THE FINISH
The Owls loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth before Mora stepped up to the plate. Nearly going yard on a deep hit to right field, she instead settled for a bases-clearing double to score three and grow the lead to 12-5.
It was senior catcher
Chloe Yeatts who closed the evening with a two-run no-doubt shot.
NOTES/NOTABLE
- The Owls' 12-0 record on Joan Joyce Field at FAU Softball Stadium is tied for their best start at home in program history.
- Florida Atlantic's 15 hits were also a season high.
- FAU has outscored opponents 99-19 in its last 12 victories.
- Holtje has reached base safely in 15 consecutive games. She now ties for the team-lead in home runs with four.
- Six Owls recorded multiple hits, led by Guzman's career-high of three.
- Lee earns the win to improve to 5-0.
QUOTABLE
UP NEXT
American Conference play begins on Friday, March 6 with a three-game series against Charlotte. Each of those games will be on ESPN+.
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