Florida Atlantic’s seventh-inning rally falls just short on Saturday

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Florida Atlantic softball’s (22-13, 4-4 C-USA) seventh-inning rally fell just short on Saturday, falling 4-3 against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (24-9, 5-3 C-USA) at Blue Raider Softball Field.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Cammeo Presutti led things off for the Owls, connecting on a single to get the game started. Presutti stole second to get into scoring possession before a Middle Tennessee error allowed Becca Jones to reach base and Presutti to round home and put the Owls on the board first, 1-0.

However, the Owls lead didn’t last long. The Blue Raiders got two on off bunts to open the bottom of the first. Middle Tennessee connected on a sacrifice bunt to put both runners in scoring position before Aniya Harvey knocked on a one-out two-RBI double to give the Blue Raiders the lead after one, 2-1.

Middle Tennessee tacked on two more in the third. The Blue Raiders hit a lead-off single and drew a walk to put two on with no one out. Another sacrifice bunt from Middle Tennessee put the two Blue Raider baserunners in scoring position before MT’s Harvey connected on a two-RBI single down the right-field line to push the Blue Raiders lead to three, 4-1.

The Owls looked to rally in the seventh. After a popout and a flyout to open the inning, Caryssa Orland connected on a two-out single to get the Owls rally started. Sommer Baker followed with a two-out RBI double to center field to plate Orland and bring the Owls within two. The Blue Raiders then committed another error, allowing Riley Olson to reach base and Baker to score to cut the deficit down to just one at 4-3, but that’s as close as the Owls would get as Middle Tennessee recorded the final out to close out the contest.

NOTES/NOTABLE

  • Sommer Baker and Caryssa Orland led the Owls in the contest, both going 2-for-3 at the plate, while Baker also recorded the Owls sole RBI and scored a run.
  • Jesiana Mora and Cammeo Presutti also recorded hits in the contest, with Presutti also scoring a run for the Owls.
  • Lynn Gardner pitched a complete game for the Owls, allowing four runs on eight hits, while also recording four strikeouts and allowing a pair of walks.

NEXT UP

FAU will look to bounce back tomorrow, Sunday April 2 in the series finale against the Blue Raiders at 2 p.m. ET at Blue Raider Softball Field.

TICKETS

Fans may purchase tickets online or at FAU’s softball stadium.

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