BOCA RATON,Fla.– In game one of a three-game series, the Florida Atlantic University softball team was defeated in extra innings by Marshall. The Thundering Herd rallied for five runs in the eighth inning after scoring two in the seventh to steal one from the Owls.
FAU falls to 20-19 overall this season and 8-5 in Conference USA play, while Marshall improves to 23-9 and 7-3 in conference action.
BACK AND FORTH BATTLE AT THE END
Lynn Gardner and Marshall’s Sydney Nester had a pitcher’s duel going through the first five innings, and the game was scoreless entering the bottom of the sixth. Cammeo Presutti led off with a pinch-hit triple to the gap in right center field. The three-bagger was her first extra base hit of the season.
Sara Berthiaume, the next batter, came through with an RBI single up the middle to score Presutti. Berthiaume’s team-leading 19th RBI of the year broke the scoreless tie and put the Owls in front.
With two outs, Myah Murray lifted an RBI single down the right field line to score Berthiaume and give FAU a big insurance run. Murray went 2-for-2 at the dish with the RBI and a walk.
The Thundering Herd refused to go down easily, and back-to-back home runs from Saige Pye and Mya Stevenson tied it up in the seventh. Marshall’s bats continued to drive the ball in the eighth inning and put up a five-spot to take a 7-2 lead.
Gardner took the loss to dip to 12-6 on the season. Tonight marked FAU’s second-consecutive extra inning game, as the Owls topped Middle Tennessee 8-2 in extra innings on Sunday.
GAME TWO TOMORROW
These two teams will square off again for game two of the series tomorrow at 1 p.m.
FOLLOW FAU ON SOCIAL MEDIA
To stay up to date on all things FAU softball, follow FAU on social media @FAUSoftball.
