USA vs. FAU game 1 box score

USA vs. FAU game 2 box score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The University of South Alabama softball team downed Florida Atlantic 3-1 before being edged 3-4 in games one and two of the Sun Belt Conference series Saturday night at the FAU Softball Stadium.

“FAU played well today,” said USA head coach Becky Clark. “They had good pitching. We were able to push a couple across in the first game. In the second game, we fell short. We’ve got to get started earlier. We’re kind of sitting back, and then we try to get things going toward the middle and end of the game. We’ve got to be more aggressive early. We’ve got to do the little things. We’ve got to make the defensive plays, work together on defense make the pitches, compete every pitch and not wait until the end of the game to get things going. We need to play better. We’re not playing bad right now, but we’re not playing to our full potential.”  

After going 1-1 on the day, the Jaguars advanced to 18-9 overall and 6-2 in SBC action while FAU fell to 11-24 and 1-5 in conference play.

Game 1 – USA 3, FAU 1

The Jaguars were able to capitalize on three Florida Atlantic errors, three walks and two hit batters to secure the 3-1 victory over the Owls in game one of the Sun Belt Conference series.

South Alabama sophomore Hannah Campbell gave up only one run in the Jags’ 3-1 win over FAU in game one of the SBC series bringing her to 10-6 on the season and dropping her ERA to 2.47.

Despite throwing the first no-hitter of her career, Florida Atlantic’s Taylor Fawbush picked up the loss and fell to 4-10.    

The Owls took the early lead in the bottom of the first after Fawbush, hit a triple to the gap in right center plating Heather Barnes who reached on a single over USA short stop Brittany Fowler’s head.

With two outs in the top of the fourth, Fawbush hit Fowler giving the Jags their first base-runner of the game. Fawbush then walked junior Meghan Collins and senior Christin Crocker to load the bases before sophomore Julie Moss hit a ground ball to the second baseman, who dropped it, allowing Fowler to score the tying run.

South Alabama took the lead in the top of the sixth inning when another hit batter, two Owl errors, a walk and a fielder’s choice led to two more Jaguar runs.

Game 2, FAU 4, USA 3

Florida Atlantic’s Samantha Messer (2-5) tossed five innings and picked up her second win of the season before Fawbush came in to pitch the final two recording her first save of the year. Senior Katy Neal (5-3) took the loss while freshman Farish Beard threw 1.2 innings of scoreless relief. Beard struck out five of the eight batters she faced.

The Owls outhit the Jags 9-5 in the contest. Freshman Blair Johnson led all Jaguar bats going 2-for-3 with one run in game two. Juniors Britany Campbell and Meghan Collins and freshman Alyssa Linn tallied a hit apiece.

In the bottom of the first inning, a lead-off triple by FAU’s Barnes followed by a double off the bat of Fawbush pushed the Owl’s first run across. After striking out Stephanie Call, Neal threw a wild pitch allowing Fawbush to advance to third. Owl pinch hitter Jordan Stovall reached on a fielder’s choice when Fowler attempted to throw Fawbush out at home, but she was safe and FAU took the 2-0 lead.

South Alabama answered in the top of the second when Collins led off the inning with a double to right center followed by another Owl error allowing sophomore Haley Richards to reach first and Collins to advance to third. Freshman catcher Alex Breeden hit a sacrifice fly to left field plating Collins for USA’s first run of the game.

In the bottom of the fourth, two Florida Atlantic hits led to the 3-1 Owl advantage, but USA was quick to respond with a run in the top of the fifth. With two outs in the inning, B. Campbell beat a bunt and stole second. Linn then hit a single to left field scoring B. Campbell, but was thrown out trying to advance to second ending the inning still in favor of the Owls 3-2.  

Two more FAU doubles in the bottom of the fifth gave the Owls the 4-2 lead.

The Jaguars cut the difference to one in the top of the sixth when Johnson singled up to middle to start the inning. Fawbush entered the game reliving Meser, and then hit Fowler and threw a wild pitch putting Johnson on third and Fowler on second. Fawbush then walked Collins loading the bases. Johnson scored the final Jaguar run of the game after the short stop fielded a ball hit by Moss and overthrew the catcher. Richards grounded out to the Fawbush and then the first baseman, Call, turned the double play throwing Fowler out at home followed by a Fawbush K to end the inning.

South Alabama will attempt to take its third conference series of the season in game three Sunday at 1 p.m. at the FAU Softball Complex.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).