BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic softball, ranked No. 25 nationally, returned to Joan Joyce Field following a 14-inning Thursday night loss to down fellow American Athletic Conference member ECU by a 10-7 score on Friday.
Friday’s contest was the second in the three-game series. The victory moves FAU’s record to 29-8 overall and 9-2 in AAC play. More importantly, the victory sets the Owls up for the opportunity to win the series over the Pirates on Saturday, a game that is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
THE GAME
The Owls took control in the bottom of the first with five runs on five hits, including a three-run homer by Kiley Channell. Trinity Schlotterbeck followed with a two-run homer of her own two batters later.
Gabby Sacco returned to the circle after going one, two, three in the first frame to hold the Pirates scoreless in the second. ECU threatened in the top of the third, plating three runs, but the Owls matched the three runs in the bottom of the third to hold an 8-3 lead.
ECU added one in the fourth and three in the fifth, but FAU was not done at the plate scoring one in each of the fifth and the sixth for the game’s final.
NOTES/NOTABLE
- Every Owl that registered a plate appearance recorded a hit
- The Owls used three pitchers in the game with starter Gabby Sacco earning the win to improve her record to 8-2 while Ainsley Lambert earned her fifth save of 2024
- The trio of Sacco, Jaden Martinez and Lambert recorded four strikeouts opposed to just one walk
- Channell belted her first collegiate home run and was 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. The freshman, who is ranked No. 2 nationally in doubles, added one to her team-leading 17 total
- Schlotterbeck was 1-for-2 with a run scored and two RBI. Her first-inning homer was her team-leading eighth of the season
- Zoey Jones was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI
- Presley Leebrick rounded out the multiple hit Owls with a 2-for-3 night and a run scored
- Catcher Katelynn de Leon also had a great night with three RBI on a 1-for-3 outing, including a double
NEXT UP
The Owls will close out the AAC series on Saturday at 1 p.m, airing on ESPN+.
TICKETS
Fans may purchase tickets online or at FAU’s softball stadium.
FOLLOW THE OWLS
For the Owls’ complete schedule, click HERE. To follow the team socially, visit @fausoftball, or for the most up-to-date information go to www.fausports.com.
