BOCA RATON, Fla. – Despite a 35-minute pregame weather delay and a 25-minute rain delay after one inning, the FAU softball team took an 8-0 win over UTSA on Friday night. The Owls’ win in game one of the three-game set lifted FAU to 25-22 and 12-7 in conference action. UTSA fell to 16-26 and 9-9 in C-USA play. The Owls clinched the run rule with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
TWO OUT MAGIC
The Owls used a pair of two-out rallies to get their first four runs in. Kaitlyn Cunningham got it going in the third with a base hit to right field. The single extended her season-high hitting streak to eight games.
After Cammeo Presutti worked a walk, Sara Berthiaume ripped a two-run triple to center field. Entering tonight’s game, Berthiaume ranked sixth in all of NCAA Division I in three-baggers, and this was her seventh of the season. Her team-leading 27th and 28th RBIs gave FAU a two-run lead.
In the fourth, Olivia Peterson reached with a bloop single to center, then Maya Amm and Sommer Baker worked walks. Cunningham continued her hot hitting with a two-RBI single to right field.
Berthiaume worked a walk to start the fifth inning. After Zoey Jones laced a single to center, Berthiaume advanced to third then scored on a throwing error. After Holley Peluso worked a walk, Peterson ended it with a three-run blast to left field to give FAU the 8-0 win. The round-tripper was Peterson’s third of the campaign.
GARDNER TERRIFIC IN THE CIRCLE
Lynn Gardner was outstanding in the circle, pitching her 18th complete game and ninth shutout of the season. She went the full five and allowed only two hits while striking out nine. Gardner improved to 15-7 with a 2.26 ERA. She ranked sixth in the nation in shutouts prior to tonight.
GAME TWO TOMORROW
These two teams will square off again tomorrow at 4 p.m. Sunday will be FAU’s Senior Day, with the ceremony beginning at 12:30 p.m.
