Thursday, March 12
Boca Raton, Fla.
6:00 PM
Liberty University
5-13
1
at
4
Florida Atlantic
14-12
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Florida Atlantic | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 4 | 3 | 0 |
Three-Run Frame Lifts Owls over Lady Flames
3/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Behind a solid pitching performance by Amber Barton and Rose Gressley, the Owls of Florida Atlantic held the Lady Flames to three hits to take a 4-1 victory, Thursday evening, at the FAU Softball Stadium.
The Owls struck first, tacking three runs onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the second. Pitcher Ashley Barton led off with a solo home run over the left field wall to take a 1-0 lead. After Becky Brandies flied out to center field, Kerri Croney reached first on a walk.
Starting pitcher Tiffani Smith got the next two batters to strike out, seeming to end the frame with minimal damage. However, the ball got by Keely McMillon behind the plate to extend the inning.
The home squad took advantage of the extra opportunity, as Amber Jones doubled to the gap in left center, driving in Christi Houghtaling and Croney to give Florida Atlantic a three-run cushion.
The Lady Flames answered with a run of their own in the top of the third. Cassie Hendrix reached on a hit that bounced over the third baseman into left field, and advanced on a sacrifice bunt from Amber DePasquale. Hendrix moved to third on a passed ball, and scored when Jenny Law was thrown out on a ground ball to shortstop. The game moved into the bottom of the third inning with a 3-1 score.
Florida Atlantic added another run in the bottom of the third. Caitlyn Bliss led off with a walk, and advanced two bases when Blair Bodenmiller tapped a sacrifice bunt down the third base line. When Barton grounded out to first base, Bliss crossed the plate to extend the Owls' lead to 4-1.
The Lady Flames got into trouble again in the bottom of the fourth, when the Florida Atlantic loaded the bases with two outs. But the Owls failed to extend their lead, when Hendrix made a diving catch on a line drive to end the inning.
Freshman Kaylee West tried to kick start a rally in the top of the seventh, belting a double to right center field with one out. Pinch runner Jennifer Pittman advanced to third on a wild pitch, but never crossed the plate, as Beth Bennett grounded out to third and Kelly Strickland popped out to end the game.
The Lady Flames were led by Law, who batted 1-for-2 with a RBI, and Hendrix, who was 1-for-1 with a run scored. Amber Jones led the Owls, batting 2-for-2 with two RBIs.
Barton (3-3) picked up the win in the circle, giving up just one hit and striking out four batters in 4.0 innings of work. Gressley took the save, giving up two hits and striking out two over 3.0 innings.
Smith (3-6) took the loss, scattering three hits and striking out three in 4.0 innings pitched. Relief pitcher Sarah Ellis threw 2.0 innings, striking out two batters.
FAU improves to 14-12 on the year, while Liberty drops to 5-13.
The Lady Flames will face the Owls again Friday evening at 6 p.m. in the FAU Parents' Weekend Invitational. But first, Liberty will take on Rutgers to open the tournament, with the game time scheduled for 11 a.m. at the FAU Softball Stadium.
The Owls struck first, tacking three runs onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the second. Pitcher Ashley Barton led off with a solo home run over the left field wall to take a 1-0 lead. After Becky Brandies flied out to center field, Kerri Croney reached first on a walk.
Starting pitcher Tiffani Smith got the next two batters to strike out, seeming to end the frame with minimal damage. However, the ball got by Keely McMillon behind the plate to extend the inning.
The home squad took advantage of the extra opportunity, as Amber Jones doubled to the gap in left center, driving in Christi Houghtaling and Croney to give Florida Atlantic a three-run cushion.
The Lady Flames answered with a run of their own in the top of the third. Cassie Hendrix reached on a hit that bounced over the third baseman into left field, and advanced on a sacrifice bunt from Amber DePasquale. Hendrix moved to third on a passed ball, and scored when Jenny Law was thrown out on a ground ball to shortstop. The game moved into the bottom of the third inning with a 3-1 score.
Florida Atlantic added another run in the bottom of the third. Caitlyn Bliss led off with a walk, and advanced two bases when Blair Bodenmiller tapped a sacrifice bunt down the third base line. When Barton grounded out to first base, Bliss crossed the plate to extend the Owls' lead to 4-1.
The Lady Flames got into trouble again in the bottom of the fourth, when the Florida Atlantic loaded the bases with two outs. But the Owls failed to extend their lead, when Hendrix made a diving catch on a line drive to end the inning.
Freshman Kaylee West tried to kick start a rally in the top of the seventh, belting a double to right center field with one out. Pinch runner Jennifer Pittman advanced to third on a wild pitch, but never crossed the plate, as Beth Bennett grounded out to third and Kelly Strickland popped out to end the game.
The Lady Flames were led by Law, who batted 1-for-2 with a RBI, and Hendrix, who was 1-for-1 with a run scored. Amber Jones led the Owls, batting 2-for-2 with two RBIs.
Barton (3-3) picked up the win in the circle, giving up just one hit and striking out four batters in 4.0 innings of work. Gressley took the save, giving up two hits and striking out two over 3.0 innings.
Smith (3-6) took the loss, scattering three hits and striking out three in 4.0 innings pitched. Relief pitcher Sarah Ellis threw 2.0 innings, striking out two batters.
FAU improves to 14-12 on the year, while Liberty drops to 5-13.
The Lady Flames will face the Owls again Friday evening at 6 p.m. in the FAU Parents' Weekend Invitational. But first, Liberty will take on Rutgers to open the tournament, with the game time scheduled for 11 a.m. at the FAU Softball Stadium.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Barton, Amber (3-3)
L: Smith, Tiffani (3-5)
S: Gressley, Rose (1)
Batting:
2B: West, Kaylee 1
RBI: Law, Jenny 1
SH: DePasquale, Amber 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hendrix, Cassie 1
Batting:
2B: Jones, Ambar 1
HR: Barton, Amber 1
RBI: Jones, Ambar 2 ; Barton, Amber 2
SH: Bodenmiller, Blair 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bliss, Caitlyn 1 ; Barton, Amber 1 ; Croney, Kerri 1 ; Houghtaling, Christi 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
1
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
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