Florida Atlantic University’s softball team continued its strong performance at the Joan Joyce Classic, securing two more victories on Saturday. The Owls defeated Villanova 9-1 in a five-inning run-rule game and later overcame Southern Indiana 7-1.
With these wins, Florida Atlantic (11-5) extended its winning streak to five games. Over the past two days, the team has outscored opponents by a combined margin of 31-3.
In the first game against Villanova (0-14), redshirt junior outfielder Kylie Hammonds opened with a leadoff home run. Redshirt senior shortstop McKenna Mulholland followed with another solo home run, giving FAU an early 2-0 lead. Two more runs were added in the first inning after errors by Villanova.
Mulholland hit her second home run of the day in the second inning—a three-run shot—pushing the score to 7-0. The Owls scored additional runs in both the third and fourth innings, ending with their second consecutive five-inning run-rule victory.
Senior pitcher Madison Inscoe started for FAU, allowing four hits and recording four strikeouts over four innings to improve her season record to 4-0.
In their second game of the day against Southern Indiana (2-9), Mulholland scored in the first inning after a hit and a double from sophomore Lily Holtje, followed by a sacrifice fly RBI from Destiny Johns. Senior first baseman Yani Guzman contributed a two-run double that gave FAU an early lead.
The Owls’ offense increased their advantage in the fifth inning with an RBI triple from Johns and a double by junior outfielder Kiley Shelton. Junior Karson Davey drove in another run as a pinch hitter before the end of the inning.
Senior pitcher Jaden Martinez earned her first win of the season after allowing just one hit over three frames following Southern Indiana’s opening run. Graduate Ainsley Lambert pitched 2.1 perfect innings to finish the game.
The Owls remain undefeated at home this season with a 10-0 record at Joan Joyce Field—their best home start since 2016. Florida Atlantic has also posted double-digit hits in three straight games. Mulholland achieved her first collegiate multi-home run game and became this season’s first Owl player to do so; she and Hammonds are now tied for most home runs on the team with three each. Three players—Mulholland, Holtje, and Guzman—each recorded three hits across both games on Saturday. Both Inscoe and Martinez set personal season highs for strikeouts, with four and five respectively.
A postgame comment was shared: “Postgame with Coach Jordan#WIPpic.twitter.com/U1Dk1sYxIn,” attributed to Florida Atlantic Softball (@FAUSoftball).
The Owls will conclude play at the Joan Joyce Classic on Sunday against UMass, with first pitch scheduled for 11:30 a.m., according to FAUSports.com.
Fans can view Florida Atlantic’s complete schedule online or follow updates via @fausoftball or www.fausports.com.
