DENTON, Tx. – The Florida Atlantic University softball team used 11 consecutive runs to power its way past UTSA in the opening round of the Conference USA Championship. The fifth-seeded Owls fell in a 4-0 hole but ripped off 11 straight to take an 11-4 win over eighth-seeded UTSA.
The win pits FAU (29-24) up against the No. 3 seed, Marshall tonight at 8:30 p.m. eastern time. The tournament now shifts to a double elimination format.
QUOTES FROM COACH“I’m proud of our team,” interim head coach Chan Walker said. “We were down 4-0, but came back and put 11 straight on the board. We came back in the third after allowing four and scored six to answer. We had patience and did the little things right to get that inning going…That inning started with the number eight batter, and we were able to bat around, as everyone did their job. It was really fun.”
HUGE THIRD INNING TO ANSWERUTSA got a 4-0 lead with two two run home runs in the third, but a six-spot from FAU pushed the Owls in front. An RBI single from Sara Berthiaume got the scoring going, then Myah Murray and Riley Olson worked bases-loaded walks. Olivia Peterson delivered the big blow with a three-run single to push the Owl lead to 6-4.
MASSIVE RUN CONTINUESFAU did not settle for a two-run lead, as the Owls tacked on three more in the fourth with a Kaitlyn Cunningham two-run homer and an Olson RBI single. The round-tripper was Cunningham’s second of the season in a 2-for-4 day.
Zoey Jones also had a multi-hit afternoon, going 2-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI triple. Murray, Olson and Cunningham each picked up two RBI.
BACK AT IT TONIGHTThe Owls will continue the Conference USA Championship Tournament tonight against Marshall, with first pitch scheduled for 8:30 p.m. eastern time.
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