The Florida Atlantic University softball team lost both games of a doubleheader against East Carolina on March 14 at Joan Joyce Field in Boca Raton. The Owls were defeated 3-1 in the first game and 3-2 in the second, marking their first American Conference series loss of the season.
This outcome is significant as it ends Florida Atlantic’s early conference momentum and gives East Carolina a series win. The Pirates improved their record to 19-10 overall and 4-2 in conference play, while the Owls fell to 20-9 overall and 3-3 in the conference.
In the opening game, East Carolina scored three runs in the second inning. Senior Chloe Yeatts hit a home run for Florida Atlantic, but additional hits later in the game did not result in more runs. Pitcher Makenna Lee took her first collegiate loss, moving to a 5-1 record, while senior Madison Inscoe pitched effectively in relief without allowing any runs over 4.2 innings.
During the second game, Florida Atlantic threatened early with base runners but could not score. East Carolina took a lead with an RBI single and added two more runs. In the final inning, redshirt junior outfielder Kylie Hammonds singled before senior third baseman Jesiana Mora hit a two-run homer to narrow the deficit. However, East Carolina secured the final outs for another win. Senior pitcher Autumn Courtney allowed only one run over 3.1 innings before graduate Ainsley Lambert finished with three strikeouts and two hits allowed.
Mora collected four hits across both games, Holtje extended her streak of reaching base safely to 21 consecutive games, and Hammonds now has a seven-game hitting streak. Courtney has given up just two runs over her last two starts.
Looking ahead, Florida Atlantic will travel to face Wichita State from March 20 through March 22, with all games scheduled to air on ESPN+.
