NCAA Softball Recap: FAU 8 – Tulsa 7
Boca Raton, FL.- The Florida Atlantic University softball team has the opportunity to become the first program on campus to win an American Athletic Conference Championship.
The red hot lady Owls, led by Head Coach Jordan Clark, are 39-13 (19-6 AAC) and have no signs of stopping. Throughout the 2024 season, FAU Softball has battled through adversity while dominating on the field.
Tonight was the truest testament to the grit of FAU Softball. After going down 3-0 in the first four innings, it looked like a rough night for the Lady Owls. During the first few innings, FAU battled that deficit, while only recording a single hit (Kamryn Jackson single in the bottom third).
In the bottom of the fifth inning, FAU showed signs of life as Kylie Hammonds reached third base on an error. Hammonds inevitably scored after Presley Leebrick hit a sacrifice fly.
Tulsa struck right back in the top of the sixth inning, recording four runs, bringing the score 7-1. In the bottom sixth, pinch hitter Becca Jones knocked a two-run homer into deep left field, cutting Tulsa’s lead 7-3.
In the top of the seventh, Owls’ closing pitcher Jaden Martinez made quick work of Tulsa and got her girls back to the plate. In the bottom of the seventh, when this game felt dead to rights, the better team got to work. Presley Leebrick opened up the inning with a double, and multiple Owls drew walks. After Kiley Channell knocked an RBI single (turned double via error) bringing the score to a nail biting 7-6. On the very next at bat, Megan Moll tied the game up with an RBI single.
With the bases loaded and one out, Kylie Hammonds stepped back up to the plate. Hammonds patiently waited as the count became 3-1. On the final pitch of the evening, the ball went just outside. Ball four. All batters advance a base and Moll trots towards home. As Megan Moll’s foot touches home, Florida Atlantic finalizes the score 8-7 in an improbably and heart racing comeback victory.
The bench clears as the Lady Owls swarm Hammonds. The comeback is complete, FAU is now one win closer to securing a double-bye in the conference tournament.
After catching a W tonight, Florida Atlantic needs one more win to secure the 2024 American Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship. The Owls will continue to host Tulsa throughout the weekend, with their next matchup being May 4th, 2024. First pitch is slated for 2:00 P.M.
