The Florida Atlantic University softball team secured two victories on the second day of the Joan Joyce Classic in Boca Raton. The Owls first defeated UMass 4-1 and then recorded an 11-0 combined no-hitter against Southern Indiana.
In the opening game, senior pitcher Autumn Courtney led Florida Atlantic (9-5) with a season-high nine strikeouts over 6.1 innings. The game remained scoreless until sophomore Lily Holtje hit a home run in the fourth inning. UMass (5-7) responded with a run in the fifth, but the Owls answered with three runs in their half of the inning. Destiny Johns delivered a go-ahead hit for the second consecutive game, followed by Holtje’s two-RBI double. Graduate Ainsley Lambert entered in the seventh to record two strikeouts and secure the save.
In their evening matchup, freshmen Makenna Lee, Ashlynn Durkin, and Madilyn Byrd combined to hold Southern Indiana (1-8) hitless through five innings. Lee started and retired nine of ten batters across three innings to earn her third win of the season. The Owls’ offense produced four runs in the first inning, including a two-RBI single from Johns. Chloe Yeatts drew a bases-loaded walk in the second to extend the lead to 5-0.
Florida Atlantic added six more runs in the third inning, highlighted by Kylie Hammonds’ triple that brought home Bella Foran and Ciara Gibson’s two-run single. Durkin and Byrd each struck out all three batters they faced to close out the game.
The team now has two combined no-hitters this season. Lee, Durkin, and Byrd totaled eight strikeouts against Southern Indiana. Holtje set a personal best with three RBI against UMass and leads Florida Atlantic in both RBI (14) and walks (12). Hammonds notched her first triple of the year while Ava Difato scored as a pinch runner during her collegiate debut.
Postgame comments were provided by head coach Jordan Clark: “Postgame with Coach Jordan#WIPpic.twitter.com/hlKDtj6NYt”.
Florida Atlantic is scheduled to play Villanova and Southern Indiana again on day three of the tournament at 3:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m., respectively; both games will be available on FAUSports.com.
For more information about schedules or updates, visit www.fausports.com or follow @fausoftball on social media.
