The Florida Atlantic University softball team lost to Wichita State, 10-8, in extra innings on March 21 after a late comeback forced the game into the ninth inning.
The game was notable for its dramatic swings. Florida Atlantic started strong with a three-run home run but saw Wichita State respond with eight unanswered runs over five innings. Trailing by five runs entering the seventh, the Owls managed to tie the game before ultimately surrendering a walk-off home run for the second consecutive day.
Sophomore outfielder Bella Foran led off and recorded a hit, followed by redshirt junior Kylie Hammonds’ single. Senior third baseman Jesiana Mora then hit her fifth home run of the season, giving FAU an early lead. Wichita State answered with two home runs in the first inning and took control with additional runs in subsequent frames.
In the seventh inning, junior Ciara Gibson hit her first home run of the season to spark FAU’s rally. Pinch hitter Cameryn Orland doubled and scored on sophomore shortstop Hannah Rivers’ RBI single. Foran added a two-RBI triple—her first collegiate triple—and Mora drove in Foran to tie the score at eight.
Graduate pitcher Ainsley Lambert pitched a scoreless seventh to send FAU into its first extra-innings game of the season. Both teams were held scoreless in the eighth. In the top of the ninth, FAU loaded the bases but could not capitalize. The Shockers secured victory with a two-run homer in their half of the ninth.
Notable performances included Mulholland recording her tenth hit-by-pitch this season (second-most in the American Conference), Mora tying her season high with four RBIs for a third time this year, and freshman pitcher Madilyn Byrd allowing just two hits and no runs over 2.1 innings during her conference debut. The Owls’ twelve hits and eight runs marked their highest totals in a loss this year.
The series concludes Sunday at 1 p.m., with coverage available on ESPN+.
