FLORIDA ATLANTIC EARNS TOP OVERALL SEED IN THE 2024 AMERICAN SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Florida Atlantic secured the No. 1 seed in the American Athletic Conference Championship and the regular season championship in its inaugural season in the league following a sweep of Tulsa to end the season. The Owls earned a tiebreaker over Charlotte after beating the 49ers 2-1 in early April. Florida Atlantic won every conference series this season. The Owls earn a double bye to the semifinals on May 10.
TOURNAMENT MAKES FIRST APPEARANCE IN WICHITA
For the first time in tournament history, the American Athletic Conference Softball Championship will be played at Wilkins Stadium in Wichita, Kansas. No. 7 East Carolina and No. 6 UAB will kick off the tournament on Wednesday, May 8 (11 a.m. ET), followed by No. 10 Memphis vs No. 3 North Texas (2 p.m. ET), No. 8 South Florida vs No. 5 Tulsa (5 p.m. ET), and No. 4 Wichita State vs No. 9 UTSA to end the night. No. 1 Florida Atlantic and No. 2 Charlotte both earned double-byes into the semifinals on May 10.
WONG NAMED AMERICAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Wong claimed The American Player of the Year honors, and the fourth consecutive for the Shockers. Wong was a force at the plate, leading The American in batting average (.481), on-base percentage (.584), runs scored (29), hits (39) and total bases (75). She also finished second in slugging percentage (.926) and third in RBI (31). She recorded multiple hits in 11 conference games and an RBI in 13 games. Her total batting average on the season of .455 is 5th in the NCAA.
BAREFOOT EARNS PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Barefoot helped guide the 49ers to a share of The American regular season conference title, recording a league-high nine wins in 20 appearances. Across 80.0 innings pitched, Barefoot had a 1.92 ERA and held opposing batters to .188 at the plate. The redshirt senior did not allow an earned run in eight appearances in conference play.
TOP ROOKIE GOES TO CHANNELL
Channell impressed during her rookie campaign for Florida Atlantic as the shortstop earned American Rookie of the Year. In conference play Channell slashed .345/.412/.524 to help lead the Owls to the top seed in The American Softball Championship. She finished with 21 RBI and a league-leading 12 doubles.
2024 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
WICHITA, KANSAS | MAY 8-11
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 – FIRST ROUND
No. 7 East Carolina vs No. 6 UAB___________________ 11 a.m.
No. 10 Memphis vs No. 3 North Texas_______________ 2 p.m.
No. 8 South Florida vs No. 5 Tulsa__________________ 5 p.m.
No. 9 UTSA vs No. 4 Wichita State_________________ 8 p.m.
THURSDAY, MAY 9 – SECOND ROUND
Winner Game 1 vs Winner Game 2______________ 1 p.m.
Winner Game 3 vs Winner Game 4______________ 3:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, MAY 10 – SEMIFINALS
Winner Game 5 vs No. 2 Charlotte______________ 1 p.m.
Winner Game 6 vs No. 1 Florida Atlantic_________ 3:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, MAY 11 – CHAMPIONSHIP
Winner Game 7 vs Winner Game 8______________ Noon
All times ET and subject to change
First three rounds air on ESPN+, while the championship airs on ESPN2
