The Florida Atlantic University softball team is set to compete in the Beach Chicken Brawl tournament in Conway, South Carolina. Over three days, the Owls will play five games: two against host Coastal Carolina, two against Binghamton, and one against Saint Joseph’s. The games versus Coastal Carolina will be broadcast on ESPN+, while the others can be followed via StatBroadcast.
This tournament is the last regular season event for FAU before American Conference play begins next weekend.
In their most recent outing, the Owls lost to UCF 9-5 in Orlando. Sophomore Lily Holtje hit a two-run home run and a double during that game.
Head Coach Jordan Clark is in her fourth year leading the program and holds a record of 133-54. Clark and her coaching staff were named American Conference Coaching Staff of the Year in both 2024 and 2025. Florida Atlantic was ranked first in the American Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
Senior pitcher Autumn Courtney recently became FAU’s fifth All-American after being named unanimous American Conference Pitcher of the Year. She started this season by earning American Pitcher of the Week honors and currently leads with 35 strikeouts.
Lily Holtje has received recognition as both an American Player of the Week and Honorable Mention. She leads several offensive categories for FAU including hits (19), OPS (1.409), doubles (seven), RBI (17), walks (15), and on-base percentage (.576). She has reached base safely in ten consecutive games.
Redshirt junior outfielder Kylie Hammonds leads with 18 runs scored and shares the team lead for home runs with redshirt senior shortstop McKenna Mulholland and Holtje, each hitting three home runs so far this season.
Senior third baseman Jesiana Mora has recorded at least one hit in twelve out of thirteen games played.
Freshman pitchers Makenna Lee, Ashlynn Durkin, and Madilyn Byrd have allowed only nine earned runs over a combined 29.2 innings pitched this season. On February 20 against Southern Indiana, they combined for a five-inning no-hitter with nine strikeouts.
The Owls’ schedule at the Beach Chicken Brawl includes:
– Friday, Feb. 27: at Coastal Carolina
– Saturday, Feb. 28: vs. Binghamton; at Coastal Carolina
– Sunday, March 1: vs. Binghamton; vs. Saint Joseph’s
After this tournament, FAU returns home to Joan Joyce Field at FAU Softball Stadium to face Florida Gulf Coast on Wednesday, March 4 before starting conference play with a series at Charlotte beginning Friday, March 6.
“Clark and her assistants received the American Conference Coaching Staff of the Year recognition in both 2024 and ’25.”
To follow updates about FAU softball throughout their season, fans can visit @FAUSoftball on social media.
