MOBILE, Ala. ? The University of South Alabama softball team had its chances Saturday, but could not capitalize as the Jags dropped both games to Florida Atlantic on Saturday at Jaguar Field. The Lady Owls were able to take an extra-inning affair in game one (1-0) and then hold off a late USA rally attempt in game two (4-2).
“I think the difference today was that we didn’t take advantage of our opportunities today when we had them,” said South Alabama softball head coach Beck Clark. “In games like we had today, you have to take advantage of your scoring opportunities and we didn’t do that. That is just an adjustment that we will have to make.”
Florida Atlantic improves to 22-14 on the season and 4-4 in Sun Belt action, while the two losses drop the Jags to 22-13 on the season and 4-4 in conference play as well. USA and FAU will close out the series on Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
GAME ONE: FAU 1, USA 0 (9 innings)
In the opener, both squads’ aces came out and set the tone early. Through the first six innings, both USA’s Linden Jones and FAU’s Jen Musillo limited the other team to just one hit.
South Alabama’s first scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out, Jag shortstop Carolina Mendoza reached first on a fielding error by her Owl counterpart Blair Bodenmiller. Mendoza then stole second and advanced to third on a Musillo wild pitch. Musillo got out of the jam though when she was able to strike out USA’s next two batters.
USA threatened again in the next inning. The Jags put runners on the corner with two outs in the inning, but Musillo again worked of trouble when she got Katie McGuire to strike out swinging.
In the ninth inning, Florida Atlantic broke through with the game’s lone run. The Owls recorded three-straight singles, including Becky Brandies RBI single back up the middle that plated Bodenmiller.
The Jags kept battling in the bottom of the ninth and with two outs tried to mount a comeback. Mendoza singled to center and then was followed by Kristen Hayes, who singled to right. Mendoza though was thrown out trying to advance to third on the play to end the game.
Musillo (9-7) picked up the win for FAU, while Jones (14-7) took the loss. Both starters went the distance and each struck out 13 batters on the afternoon. Jones’ strike out total tied a season high.
GAME TWO: FAU 4, USA 2
In the second game of the day, Florida Atlantic again grabbed the early lead with two runs in the top of the third. With runners at the corners, Bodenmiller drove a two-out double to the wall in left that scored Jenna Lopez and Amber Barton.
USA answered right back in the bottom half of the inning and cut the deficit to 2-1. South Alabama third baseman Taylor Rich got things started for the Jags in the third when she bounced a single back up the middle. Rich moved to second on Evelyne Pare’s bunt single and then came around to score on Corey Race’s RBI ground out.
Two innings later, the Owls increased their lead to 3-1 when Bodenmiller drove in her third run of the game with another two-out double, this one to center that scored Mandie Fishback from first.
South Alabama closed the gap to one (3-2) in the sixth. Jag right fielder Ashley Elmore led off the inning with a double to the gap in right center and then came around to score on Tara Donaldson’s single to center.
Florida Atlantic picked up a huge insurance run in the top of seventh. Becky Brandies recorded FAU’s fourth double of the day when the Owl right fielder drove a ball to right center with one out. Fishback then single back up the middle to bring in Brandies and give the Owls a two-run lead.
In the bottom of the seventh, South Alabama looked as if it was going to rally. Kristen Hayes and Pare each drew a base on balls to reach base. With one out, Florida Atlantic brought in its second pitcher of the inning, Musillo. The game one starter was greeted by Elmore, who lined a single through the left side of the infield to load the bases for USA. Musillo though, as she did in the first game, worked out of the jam. The senior Owl hurler struck out Race and then got Donaldson to pop out to end the game.
FAU starter Kathryn Stauffer picked up the win to move her to 5-2 and Musillo picked up her second save of the season. USA’s Beth Pilgrim (5-4) struck out four, but took the loss. Elmore was perfect on the day for the Jags, going 3-for-3 at the plate and scoring one run. The Owl offense was paced by five players who recorded two hits each.
