| 3/9/2024 | Softball BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic softball was forced to wait a day to play their first American Athletic Conference contest. With Friday’s game moved to a Saturday double header, the Owls were forced to overcome another night of conference play anticipation.The Owls (19-6) wasted no time in showing the AAC that they were not just a member but were in it to win it. Game one’s seesaw action ended with the Owls on top against Wichita State (10-7) by an 8-7 score, courtesy of a hot hitting Kamryn Jackson.If game one saw back and forth scoring, game two saw even more with five lead changes. The Shockers scored first with a solo run in the second. FAU took their first lead in the top of the fourth inning, but saw it erased in the bottom half of the inning. The Owls plated a run in both the fifth and sixth innings to tie the contest at 4-4. Host WSU scored two in the bottom of the sixth and held Florida Atlantic scoreless in the seventh to secure the win and even the scheduled three-game series at one game each. GAME 1 The Owls scored in the top of the first, courtesy of a two-out double by Kiley Channell followed by a Kamryn Jackson single. Gabby Sacco drew the start in the circle for Florida Atlantic and held host Wichita State scoreless while FAU used two walks, a hit batter, a Shocker error, and two hits, including a double by Megan Moll, for a four-run third and the 5-0 lead.Wichita State would score six in the bottom half of the third to take their first lead of the game, but it would be short lived. Presley Leebrick led off the top of the fourth with a walk and was driven in two batters later by a Jackson homer, her fifth of the season. Wichita State used the bottom of the fifth to even the score, via a solo home run, at 7-7.Moll led off the top of the seventh with a walk. She stole second and moved to third on throwing error by the WSU catcher. The Owls elected to use pinch hitter Becca Jones, who drove an RBI single to right plating the go ahead run.Ainsley Lambert returned to the circle to close out the game for an Owls’ victory in their first American Athletic Conference contest. Lambert moved to 4-0 on the year. NOTES/NOTABLE Kamryn Jackson was 2-for-3 with three RBI, a walk, a homer and two runs scoredCamryn Orland was 2-for-3 with an RBIMegan Moll was 1-for-2 with a double, 2 RBI, two walks, and two runs scoredBecca Jones was 1-for-1 with the game winning RBI and Kylie Channel recorded a hitThe Owls used three pitchers in the game. Gabby Sacco drew the start and tossed 2.1 innings, gave up six hits, six runs all earned, and struck out two. Jaden Martinez threw two innings allowed one run on two hits and struck out two and the game’s winner was Lambert, who recorded the final 2.2 innings of work, allowed two hits, a walk and struck out one for the win GAME 2 Trinity Schlotterbeck started the game for the Owls going 3.1 innings and allowing four runs on four hits, that included a double and a homer. She was relieved in the fourth inning by Ainsley Lambert, who worked through a jam and gave the Owls time to mount a comeback but ultimately saw the hard-hitting Shockers score two in the bottom of the sixth. Lambert took the loss and moved to 4-1 on the season.The meat of the order continued to pace FAU’s offense with the trio of Presley Leebrick, Kiley Channell and Kamryn Jackson going 5-for-11 with two doubles, a homer, three RBI and three runs scored. NOTES/NOTABLE Kamryn Jackson, who belted her second homer of the day and sixth of the season, was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, two RBI, and added a double to her team leading totalsKiley Channell was 2-for-4 with a run scoredWhile Leebrick added a double to her day’s work, Cameryn Orland was 2-for-2 with her team-leading second triple of the seasonTrinity Schlotterbeck started and threw 3.1 innings. She was relieved by Ainsley Lambert, the winner of game one. Lambert tossed 2.2 innings and suffered her first loss of the season NEXT UP The Owls will close out their 11-day road swing with a scheduled 1 p.m. EST start at Wichita State. Florida Atlantic is 5-2 during their first road test and will look to capture the AAC series with a series win. 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. |
