USA-FAU Box
Tournament Bracket

LAFAYETTE, La. – The No. 3 seed University of South Alabama softball team dropped a 3-1 decision to No. 2 seed Florida Atlantic Thursday afternoon in the second round of the Sun Belt Conference Championship at Lamsom Park on the campus of the University of Louisiana Lafayette.

USA (36-16) was led offensively by Katy Neal with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate and one RBI. Senior designated player Carolina Mendoza also recorded one hit and scored the only run of the game for the Jaguars.

Left-hander Hannah Campbell (17-7) took the loss for the Jaguars in 3.1 innings of work. She gave up two hits and allowed two runs – only one of which was earned.

Rose Gressley (19-12) was credited with the win after going the distance, scattering four hits and allowing just the one run. Gressley also led the Owl’s at the plate going 2-for-3 and scoring once. Cari Curfman also recorded one hit and one RBI for FAU.

With two outs in the top of the second, Mendoza reached on an infield single to short. Neal followed with a hard-hit double to right that just missed clearing the wall to score Mendoza and put the Jags up 1-0.

FAU (33-24) rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the third. Gressley singled to left to advance Brittany Walker, who was hit by a pitch earlier in the inning. With one out, Taylor Fawbush drew a walk to load the bases. Two batters later, Curfman worked out a walk to push the first Owl run across. H. Campbell came in for relief, and struck out Ashlyn Parmerter to get out of the jam and end the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, Florida Atlantic took a 3-1 lead. With one out, lead-off batter Kerri Croney drew a walk and advanced to second on a single from Brittany Walker. After advancing to third on a passed ball, Croney scored on a ground out to second. Gressley then singled up the middle to plate Walker.   

After a shaky start to the bottom of the sixth H. Campbell walked the first two batters she faced, but battled back to retire the next three Owls and get out of the inning unscathed.

The next three innings remained scoreless as the Jags fell 3-1 to Florida Atlantic.

 The Jaguars will return to action Friday at 12:30 p.m. when they take on fourth-seeded Florida International.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
NOTES: FAU holds a 14-4 all-time lead over the Jags … USA is now 0-4 when playing FAU in the SBC Tournament.


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