BOCA RATON,Fla.– The Florida Atlantic University softball team defeated Marshall, 4-1, in game two of the weekend series on Saturday. The Owls bumped their record to 21-19 and 9-5 in Conference USA play, while the Herd dipped to 23-10 and 7-4 in conference action.
OWLS SCORE WITH SMALL BALL
FAU manufactured a run in the first inning to jump out to a 1-0 lead. Kaitlyn Cunningham reached on a leadoff error then stole second base. After Cammeo Presutti laid down a sacrifice bunt, Sara Berthiaume delivered her team-high 20th RBI with a sacrifice fly.
After the Thundering Herd drew even in the third, the Owls countered with a pair in the bottom half of the inning. Sommer Baker led off with a double to left field, then Cunningham knocked a line drive base hit to left. The next batter was Presutti, who delivered an RBI triple, her second triple in as many games to get FAU a 3-1 advantage.
FAU starting pitcher Donnie Gobourne got in a groove and allowed only two hits all game. Gobourne racked up eight punchouts and walked only two batters en route to her second win of the year.
An interesting fifth inning gave FAU a 4-1 lead. After Jalynn Ford led off with a pinch-hit single up the middle, Sommer Baker laid down a bunt. The throw was offline by the third baseman, and pinch runner Maddie Carlock advanced to third, with Baker moving up to second. Cunningham tried a safety squeeze, yet it did not work as Carlock was thrown out at home. Presutti came through once again and legged out an infield hit that scored Baker and gave FAU a 4-1 lead.
Marshall got the tying run up to the plate in the seventh, but Gabby Sacco came on in relief of Gobourne and squandered the opportunity. Sacco earned her first save, and the team’s first save of the year by getting a six-four-three double play to end it.
SERIES FINALE TOMORROW
FAU and Marshall will battle in the finale game of the series at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow.
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