BOCA RATON, Fla. – Playing five games in their final non-conference weekend, the Florida Atlantic University softball team (5-15) scored seven runs in each game of Friday’s doubleheader action to defeat the University of South Dakota (4-12), 7-2 and 7-1.
JOYCE’S TAKE
“Finally, we had a couple of pretty good games where our defense and our offense meshed together,” said Joan Joyce, FAU’s head coach. “The top of our lineup, the first five batters contributed a lot tonight. Kaitlyn Burke had a perfect 6-for-6 night and all of the pitchers pitched pretty well.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One
The Owls broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth. With FAU holding a 2-1 lead, Gretchen Ebert hit a two out single. The speedster stole second and was driven home by Sara Berthiaume to start a five run two-out rally. Following a single by Kaitlyn Cunningham, Riley Ennis was credited with a two RBI single to the shortstop. Burke, who had her second hit of the game, the first was a two-run homer the previous inning, followed with a single. Ennis and Burke then scored on a Fayth Davis double to put the Owls up 7-2. The final three innings were scoreless. Abigail Morgan picked up her first win of the season and Kara Lokeinsky earned the save.
Game Two
South Dakota scored first in game two, scoring in the opening frame. The Owls tied the game in the bottom of the second, added the eventual game-winner in the fourth, tacked on three in the fifth and two in the sixth for game two’s 7-1 final.
The Owls scored tied the game in an unusual fashion and without the ball leaving the infield. Burke, a catcher beat out an infield single, then stole second and moved up on a foul popup to the catcher. She scored on groundout to short. Burke singled and was relieved at first by pinch runner Maddie Carlock, who promptly stole second. She then advanced on a ground out and then took advantage of a throwing error to score. The Owls put the game away in the fifth with four hits and two USD errors and then added two more runs in the sixth for the game’s 7-1 final. Donnie Gobourne started in the circle for FAU pitching four innings, scattering four hits and no earned runs. She recorded five strikeouts. Gobourne moved to 2-5 on the year with the win. Lynn Gardner pitched the final three scoreless innings and held USD to just one hit.
STATISTICALLY
Game One
- Burke was 3-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored
- Ennis and Cunningham were 2-for-3 and Ennis added two RBI and two runs
- Four Owls were 1-for-3 on the day with Davis driving in two, Berthiaume scoring once and driving in one, Ebert scored once and Murray rounded out the group
- The Owls used their entire bench in the game with Carlock recording the team’s only other hit
- Morgan pitched the game’s first four innings, allowed the two runs, both earned and retired one by strikeout
- Lokeinsky pitched the final three scoreless inning and allowed just two hits and struck out one
Game Two
- Burke was 3-for-3 with one run scored and an RBI. In total, the senior was 6-for-6 with homer versus USD
- Sommer Baker was the only other Owl with multiple hits. The shortstop/second baseman was 2-for-3 with two runs scored
- Burke, Baker and Carlock each stole a base versus the Coyotes
WHAT’S NEXT
The Owls will next play host to a three-game series versus UCF beginning on Saturday at 6 p.m. Both teams will return to the field for a Sunday doubleheader. To follow the team socially, visit @fausoftball or for the most up-to-date information go to www.fausports.com.
