The Florida Atlantic University softball team continued its strong offensive performance with a 9-4 win over Charlotte in the American Conference opener on Friday evening. The Owls recorded their season high in hits for the second consecutive game, totaling 17 hits and four home runs.
With this victory, Florida Atlantic (18-6, 1-0) extended its winning streak to six games. Senior pitcher Autumn Courtney started the game and earned her seventh win of the season.
Redshirt junior outfielder Kylie Hammonds began league play by hitting a lead-off home run. Senior third baseman Jesiana Mora followed with a double and later scored on an RBI from junior outfielder Karson Davey, giving FAU an early 2-0 advantage.
In the second inning, sophomore outfielder Bella Foran led off with a hit and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly from Mora. Sophomore Lily Holtje added an RBI single to increase the lead to 4-0.
The Owls expanded their advantage in the third when redshirt senior second baseman McKenna Mulholland hit her fourth home run of the year. In the fourth inning, Foran stole home and Holtje collected another RBI as FAU maintained its streak of scoring at least one run in ten straight innings.
Charlotte attempted a comeback in the fifth inning by loading the bases and clearing them with a triple. They added another run in the sixth to narrow FAU’s lead to 7-4.
Hammonds opened the seventh inning with her second solo home run of the night, finishing her outing 3-for-3 at bat. Mora followed with another homer, marking only the second time this season that FAU has had back-to-back home runs.
Graduate pitcher Ainsley Lambert entered late in the game and did not allow any hits in the final inning, securing Florida Atlantic’s victory.
Florida Atlantic has now accumulated 32 hits over its last two games and has won 13 of its past 15 contests, outscoring opponents by a combined margin of 108-23 during those wins. Hammonds set new collegiate career highs for both home runs (six) this season and single-game hits (three). Holtje has reached base safely in sixteen consecutive games. Mulholland recorded her seventh hit-by-pitch for a team best this year, while senior first baseman Yani Guzman achieved multiple-hit games three times in her last four appearances.
The Owls will attempt to clinch their series against Charlotte on Saturday at 1 p.m., with coverage available on ESPN+. Additional information about scheduling is available at www.fausports.com or through @fausoftball social media accounts.
