The Florida Atlantic University softball team ended its participation in the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational with a 13-2 win over James Madison on Sunday. The victory marked the Owls’ first at the tournament and brought their season record to 6-4, breaking a four-game losing streak.
Florida Atlantic’s offense delivered its best performance of the season, producing 15 hits and 13 runs. A seven-run seventh inning helped secure the win against James Madison, which fell to 2-5 for the season.
Senior third baseman Jesiana Mora led at the plate, matching her career high with four hits and finishing just a triple short of hitting for the cycle. She also drove in four runs during the game. Freshman pitcher Makenna Lee started for Florida Atlantic and earned her second career win, improving her record to 2-0.
In her first appearance as leadoff hitter this season, sophomore outfielder Bella Foran singled and scored on a double by redshirt senior shortstop McKenna Mulholland. Mora then hit her second home run of the year, bringing in both herself and Mulholland for an early 3-0 lead. Senior first baseman Madison Inscoe added another run with a double before the inning ended.
The Owls extended their lead in the fourth inning after loading the bases; Mora hit a two-run double to make it 6-0. James Madison responded with a two-run home run in their half of the fourth before Lee struck out a batter to end that threat.
Florida Atlantic added six consecutive hits in the seventh inning, including Mora’s fourth hit of the day. Sophomore Lily Holtje contributed with a two-RBI single, reaching ten RBIs on the season. Redshirt junior outfielder Kylie Hammonds capped off scoring with a three-run home run.
The top four batters—Foran, Mulholland, Mora, and Holtje—all recorded multiple hits and runs during Sunday’s game. Lee currently leads Florida Atlantic’s pitching staff with an ERA of 2.14. Graduate pitcher Ainsley Lambert pitched 2.1 innings without allowing any hits, repeating her performance from Saturday.
Looking ahead, Florida Atlantic will play seven games over six days starting Tuesday with an away matchup against Florida Gulf Coast at 6 p.m., broadcast on ESPN+. The team will then host Kansas UMass, Southern Indiana, and Villanova during the Joan Joyce Classic from February 19 through February 22.
For more information about schedules or updates on Florida Atlantic softball visit www.fausports.com or follow @fausoftball on social media.
