USA vs. FAU 3 box score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – A six-run rally in the top of the sixth led the University of South Alabama softball team to clinch its third consecutive Sun Belt Conference series winning the rubber match 8-3 on Sunday afternoon at the FAU Softball Stadium.

“We got a great team win today,” said USA head coach Becky Clark. “Hannah (Campbell) and Alex (Breeden) did a great job of keeping it close until the offense could come through. Our offense did a really good job of not getting frustrated and giving up. They kept fighting and made some adjustments toward the end of the game. They got the big hits going to pressure FAU. FAU made a couple of errors that helped us out, and, because of that, we were able to get the big inning.

“Overall, today was a huge win on the road. Coming back from losing game two last night showed a lot of character. Our kids came in here, fought hard and worked hard to take the series.”

With the win, South Alabama improves to 19-9 overall and 7-2 in the SBC while the Florida Atlantic falls to 11-25 on the year and 1-6 in conference play.

The Jaguars outhit the Owls 11-4 in game three with junior first baseman Meghan Collins as USA’s offensive spark going 2-for-4 with a run and a RBI. Freshmen Blair Johnson and Alex Breeden each had two hits and two RBI on the afternoon. Sophomore right fielder Julie Moss added a pair of singles and senior designated player Christin Crocker, junior short stop Brittany Fowler and sophomore second baseman Haley Richards put up a hit apiece.

With two outs in the top of the third, Collins hit a solo home run to left field foul pole to giving the South Alabama the 1-0 lead.

The Owls answered an inning later scoring three runs in the fourth.

Florida Atlantic right fielder Taylor Fawbush led off the home half of the fourth inning with a single through the left side. Following a strikeout by first baseman Stephanie Call, designated player Jordan Stovall doubled down the left line advancing Fawbush to third. Fawbush scored the tying run after Alexa Ballard hit the ball to USA second baseman Haley Richards who chose to attempt the play at home, but did not get it there in time.

After USA picked up the second out of the fourth, Owl catcher Quincy Wilson singled through the left side and advanced on a throwing error by Linn which allowed Ballard and Stovall to score and gave Florida Atlantic the 3-1 lead.

The Jags rallied in the top of the sixth scoring six runs. Collins got things started with a single to right field. With freshman Kaitlyn Griffith in to pinch run, Crocker hit a sacrifice bunt allowing Griffith to get to second. Moss then singled to center and advanced on a throwing error by Owl center fielder Whitley Herb which also plated Griffith. Breeden followed with a single down the left line scoring Moss and tying the game 3-3.

Following Moss’s run the Owls brought Fawbush in to pitch. Richards was next, beating a bunt for the seventh Jaguar hit of the game and advancing Breeden to second. Fawbush then walked junior center fielder Britany Campbell loading the bases. Linn reached on a fielder’s choice when Ballard threw Breeden out at home.

Johnson hit a two-run single through the left side and advanced to second on the throw putting the Jaguars up 5-3. Fowler pushed two more runs across when she hit a ball through the right side and made it to second on a throwing error by right fielder Kimberly Diaz.

Fawbush finally ended the inning when Collins stepped back up to the plate and struck out swinging.  

Two doubles in the seventh inning by Crocker and Breeden sealed the deal giving the Jaguars the 8-3 victory over the Owls before the South Alabama defense took FAU down in order to finish the game.

Sophomore lefty Hannah Campbell (11-6) struck nine Owl batters en route to her 11th win and her 13th complete game of the season. FAU’s Paige Pender (5-4) took the loss after giving up six hits and four runs in 5.1 innings of work. Fawbush came in to relive Pender one out into the sixth inning allowing five hits and four runs in an inning and two-thirds of work.  

The Jaguars will continue Sun Belt Conference action when they travel to Troy, Ala. on March 28 to square off with in-state rival Troy at 5 p.m. at the Troy 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).