Owls to Face First-Place Bulls

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic softball team remains on the road, heading to Tampa for a three-game series against South Florida. Friday's first pitch is set for 6 p.m., followed by Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. All games will be on ESPN+.

Fresh off their best offensive performance of the season, the Owls (26-13, 8-7) will look to carry that momentum past the Bulls (29-13, 11-4), currently the number one team in the American Conference.

LAST TIME OUT
The Owls posted 17 runs, most by a team during American play this season, in a 17-7 victory to close a three-game series against North Texas. Junior outfielder Ciara Gibson led the way at the plate with two doubles in one inning, along with a home run, for a four-RBI performance. After launching two homers over the weekend, she was named an Honorable Mention by the American Conference, her second week in a row with a weekly accolade by the team.

ABOUT THE OWLS

Head Coach Jordan Clark is in her fourth season at the helm of the program and owns a 147-59 record. Clark and her assistants received the American Conference Coaching Staff of the Year recognition in both 2024 and '25.
As back-to-back regular season champions, Florida Atlantic was ranked No. 1 in the American Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The Owls lead the American in batting average (.318), runs (246), RBI (221), walks (146), on-base percentage (.417), strikeouts thrown (231), and opposing batting average (.240).
Florida Atlantic ranks No. 14 nationwide in fielding percentage (.978).
In the last nine games, Gibson is batting .560 with 11 runs, six homers and 14 RBI. She has driven in at least one run in each of those nine appearances.
Redshirt junior outfielder Kylie Hammonds leads the American in runs (41). Her nine home runs are more than any FAU player had in 2025.
Senior third baseman Jesiana Mora leads the team in batting average (.417), RBI (29), and doubles (11) while reaching base in 31 out of 34 games played. On Feb. 28 against Coastal Carolina, she tied FAU's single-game record in walks with four. Mora is also tied for the conference lead in stolen bases with 10.
Sophomore Lily Holtje has earned both an American Player of the Week and two Honorable Mention recognitions. She leads the Owls in walks (24).
Senior pitcher Autumn Courtney became the program's fifth All-American in May of 2025 after winning the unanimous American Conference Pitcher of the Year honor. In 2026, she has earned two American Pitcher of the Week Awards and currently leads the team with 82 strikeouts and a 2.42 ERA while standing at the top of the conference with 14 victories. Courtney is No. 4 nationally among all active players with 72 career wins. In March, she was named the Palm Beach County Amateur Athlete of the Year.
Graduate pitcher Ainsley Lambert is No. 2 in the nation with six saves and is the career leader among all active Division I players with 28.

ABOUT THE BULLS

South Florida is led by long-time Head Coach Ken Eriksen, currently in his 29th season. The Bulls are currently the reigning American Conference Tournament champions.
Defensively, the Bulls are No. 4 nationally in double plays turned (25), No. 13 in fielding percentage (.981), and No. 31 in ERA (2.99).
Sophomore pitcher Anne Long is on top of the conference with a 1.69 ERA and currently holds an 11-3 record.
Junior Alex Wilkes leads the American with 42 RBI. She has launched eight home runs.
FAU currently trails USF in the all-time series, 19-10, but the Owls picked up two wins in the 2025 season series.

UP NEXT
The Owls return to Joan Joyce Field at FAU Softball Stadium for four games in five days. First up is a midweek matchup against FIU on Wednesday, April 15 followed by a three-game series versus Tulsa from Friday, April 17 to Sunday, April 19.

OWLS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
To stay up to date on all things FAU softball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUSoftball.

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Players Mentioned

Autumn Courtney

Ciara Gibson

Kylie Hammonds

Lily Holtje

Ainsley Lambert

Jesiana Mora

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