The dream season for FAU softball keeps on rolling, as after sweeping last season’s champion Wichita State to open AAC play, the Owls have won 5 out of their last 6 and head into this weekend’s series against UTSA ranked in multiple national polls. Jordan Clark’s squad has fluctuated in and out of the rankings this season, however now winners of 11 out of 12 in a row, they find themselves comfortably ranked 23rd in Softball America and 22nd in D1 softball.
Whether it was on the road 2 weekend’s ago against UAB, or this past weekend at home vs Charlotte, the Owls have had no issue putting up runs when needed including comeback wins in 4 out of their last 5 games. The Owls have shown grittiness in many games this season and now are in the midst of AAC play fully battle tested and are looking to defend their regular season title.
Next up in their quest to do so will be a 3 game series against UTSA, including a double header on Saturday which is something they handled with ease on the road in Birmingham. Following the trip to UTSA, the Owls will have a 1 game road trip to FIU where they will look to sweep the season series 2-0.
Below will be some takeaways and a look ahead at UTSA.
Comeback kids do it once again
As mentioned in the opener, the past 2 series kept Owls fans on the edge of their seats, as in all but the first game against UAB, FAU had to come from behind in their last 5 victories. FAU faced deficits as big as 3, however as it’s been all year they were never phased and only once the past 2 weekends was a conference opponent able to defeat them.
The comebacks happened in different ways, as on March 14th against UAB, the Owls used runs in each the 5th, the 6th and the 7th to chip away and eventually comeback and defeat UAB 3-2, while in the series finale against the Blazes, FAU scored 3 in the bottom of the 7th, getting a RBI single from Kiley Channell to tie it at 3 and 2 RBI triple from freshman sensation Destiny Johns to take a 5-3 lead and clinch the sweep over the Blazers.
The Charlotte series this weekend featured a pair of comebacks as well, as in game one the pitching staff dominated for FAU, with Autumn Courtney and Ainsley Lambert allowing only 2 runs, however they were blanked in the score column through the first 5, but it was never an issue as they stormed back in the 6th and 7th, getting a pair of knocks from Ciara Gibson and Bella Foran to tie and another single from Gibson in the 7th to clinch the win. In game 2, after taking a 3-0 lead after one, UNCC took a 4-3 lead in the second, however the bats responded quickly for FAU, plating 5 in the 4th behind RBI knocks from Bella Cimino, Kylie Hammonds, Johns and Chloe Yeatts, eventually going on to win 10-5.
Although the Owls 11 game win streak came to an end with the loss on Sunday, the Owls have shown grittiness all season, but specifically during their recent run of success and their ability to find a way to win will only help them once they get to postseason play.
Bella Foran, Kiley Channell & Chloe Yeatts takeover at the plate
FAU has been getting production at the plate from nearly the entire roster so far this season, but over the past 2 weekends, it was Foran, Channell and Yeatts who were able to get the job done at the dish.
Their hot streak started against UAB, as Foran recorded a hit in each game of the series and both Yeatts and Channell recorded multi-hit games in game one, with Yeatts having a 3 hit performance with 4 RBIs, single handedly putting her team on her back and in game 3, Channell and Foran each had RBI singles to help lead a comeback in the late innings. Their success carried over to this weekend’s series against Charlotte, as all 3 finished with a .500 batting average over the 3 game set and they combined for 7 RBIs in total.
In game one against Charlotte this past Friday, although Foran was the only one out of the trip to record an RBI, Yeatts reached base 3 times via walk and Channell recorded 3 hits, also scoring in the bottom of the 7th on Ciara Gibson’s walk-off single. They kept on rolling in the final 2 games, as in game 2, Yeatts and Foran each recorded multi-hit games, with Yeatts recording 2 RBIs, while Channell added another RBI single to her goal and although FAU lost the final game on Sunday, Channell and Yeatts recorded multi-hit games, with Yeatts going yard and Foran singled, giving her a hit in each of the last 6 games.
The Owls lineup has been very productive across the board this season and if Yeatts, Foran and Channell can keep up the production they provided this weekend, FAU will continually be a tough team to beat.
Autumn Courtney having no issue adjusting to AAC play
Heading into the season and conference play, FAU Head Coach Jordan Clark was left wondering if her transfer portal ace, Autumn Courtney would have any issue adjusting to AAC opponents. After throwing a complete game shutout against Wichita State to open AAC play, many of Coach Clark’s questions were answered, however these next 2 series proved that her performance against Wichita State wasn’t a fluke.
Courtney’s appearances against UAB started out as expected, as in game one against UAB she pitched a complete game, allowing only one run and 2 hits and picking up a win in a 4-1 Owls victory. In game 3 of that series, she provided a valuable relief spot, pitching 2.1 scoreless out of then pen, keeping the game close which allowed FAU to storm back and win 5-3.
She picked it up where she left off this past weekend against Charlotte, as in game one of the series she pitched 6 innings, allowing only 2 runs and 2 hits, also striking out 8 and picking up a win in a 3-2 Owls victory. The only time Courtney ran into trouble this weekend was in the final game of the weekend against Charlotte, as the 49ers found a way to get to her and score 5, also handing her her first loss of the season,
Although it wasn’t a perfect 2 weekends for Courtney, outside of the one slip up against Charlotte, she was lights out, and going forward if she can return to form, she’ll continue to be a tough matchup for opposing hitters.
Look ahead: Away vs UTSA 3/28, 3/29, 3/30
Record: 14-16
Hitter to watch: Sabrina Wick, .343, 11 RBIs, 2 XBHs
Pitcher to watch: Reagan Stoudt, 0-4, 3.80 ERA, 25BB-16SO
Key wins: 2/20 vs Michigan State (7-4), 3/1 vs Houston (5-4),
AAC outcomes: 0-3 in AAC series vs Memphis, ECU & Wichita State.