BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic softball team can breathe a sigh of relief that the season they have diligently prepared for is underway. On the season's opening night, it was relief pitching that shone the brightest. FAU beat Marshall 10-6 in game one and fell to Arkansas 8-0 in the second.
The Owls saw an aggressive Marshall score two runs in the first inning and add a third run in the third while the Herd's pitching held FAU scoreless until the bottom of the seventh. The Owls plated seven runs, took over and never looked back for the 10-6 final.
The fifth inning that got started with a
Zoey Jones double was highlighted by a
Trinity Schlotterbeck two-run homer and later saw Jones belt a single. In all, FAU sent 11 batters to the plate and had three extra base hits in the fifth alone.
Ansley Lambert came on in relief to pitch three scoreless innings, retiring four batters by strikeout before allowing three in the top of the seventh inning. Lambert picked up the Owls' win.
Florida Atlantic's game two saw Arkansas score seven in the first two innings.
Jaden Martinez entered the circle with two outs in the second, gave up a run before she could get out of the inning and then went on to hold the Razerbacks to just one run over the course of the next three innings. Arkansas held the Owls to just two hits recorded by
Cammeo Presutti and
Megan Moll. Presutti found her way on base in two of her three plate appearances with a single and a walk.
Game one hero Schlotterbeck suffered her first loss as an Owl after 1.2 innings of work.
- Presutti was 3-for-5 with two runs scored
- Schlotterbeck ended the evening 2-for-5 with a homer and four RBI
- Zoey Jones was 2-for-4 with a double and two walks
- FAU's pitching staff combined for 12 strikeouts compared to five walks.
Day two of the Paradise Classic will get underway at 9 a.m. Friday, with the Owls facing Penn State in the nightcap, scheduled for 7 p.m.
Fans may purchase tickets online or at FAU's softball stadium.
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.