Despite Three-Run 7th Inning Blast, Owls Edged Out

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Florida Atlantic University’s softball team travelled to Marshall for a four-game weekend series. The Owls out hit the Thundering Herd in three of the four games, outplayed Marshall defensively in every game and provided plenty of excitement, but on Sunday FAU came up one run short, falling to Marshall, 6-5.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Owls (9-26, 4-8 Conference USA) scored the game’s first run in the bottom of the third. Freshman Zoey Jones led off with a single to rightfield, which was misplayed, allowing her to go to third. DP Bailey Story followed with a single to left plating Jones for the 1-0 lead.

That lead would be short lived. Two walks, followed by a three-run homer to right, chased Owls’ starter Abigail Morgan from the game and gave Marshall (15-8, 4-4 C-USA) the 3-1 lead. The Thundering Herd would add to the lead with a two-run homer in the fifth, and a sixth inning sac fly added a sixth run, setting up the exciting finish.

In the top of the seventh, down 6-1, Myah Murray doubled down the leftfield line. Caryssa Orland singled up the middle advancing Murray to third. A Jones fielder’s choice scored Murray, and Jones replaced Orland on first. Marshall went to the bullpen and FAU went to the bench for pinch hitter Jalynn Ford. Two pitches later, the freshman had pulled the Owls to within one by sending the offering over the centerfield fence, but a groundout and a flyout would end the Owls’ threat and give Marshall the 6-5 thriller.

JOYCE’S TAKE

“Two home runs, said Joan Joyce, FAU’s head coach. It is hard to get them not to not hit home runs. We hit a few homers ourselves, but a lot of this weekend’s homers would not go out at our place. Marshall’s fences are 190 down the lines. We hit the ball better anyway and I like the fact that we fought back. We just need to get that started earlier in the game.”


STATISTICALLY

  • Murray and Story both had a 2-for-3 day at the plate. Murray scored once. Story also scored one and drove in a run
  • Jones was 1-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI
  • Ford was 1-for-1 with the three-run homer
  • Orland and Kaitlyn Burke were each 1-for-3
  • Morgan started the game and tossed 2.1 innings, giving way to Lynn Gardner, who appeared in her fourth game of the series. Gardner pitched 2.2 and like Morgan gave up three earned runs. Kara Lokeinsky got the final three outs for the Owls and was not charged with a run

WHAT’S NEXT

The Owls will return home next weekend, playing host to Middle Tennessee for a four-game set, beginning at 6 p.m., Friday, April 23. A doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday, starting at 4 p.m. and the weekend will conclude with a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m. The weekend series will be dedicated to FAU’s four seniors. To follow the team socially, visit @fausoftball or for the most up-to-date information go to www.fausports.com.