TAMPA, Fla. – For the second game in a row, the Florida Atlantic softball team battled but was defeated by South Florida in a one-run game, losing 4-3 on Saturday.
The Owls (26-15, 8-9) built a 3-1 lead that was maintained until the bottom of the fifth inning, where the Bulls (31-13, 13-4) scored three runs. FAU again rallied in the top of the seventh and boasted the tying run at third base and winning run at second, but two quick outs ended the game.
Graduate pitcher Ainsley Lambert, known as one of the top closers in the nation and the active NCAA Division I leader in saves, made the unlikely seventh start of her collegiate career. In 4.1 innings, she allowed just one earned run and three hits. Senior Madison Inscoe was charged with the loss in the circle, falling to 3-2 on the season.
THE BEGINNING
After the Owls got out of a bases loaded first , the Bulls scored in the bottom of the second with an RBI single.
The Owls juiced the bases on the way to three runs in the top of the third. Senior catcher Chloe Yeatts’ nearly went yard with a ball hit to deep right field, but instead it bounced off the wall for a two-run single and the lead.
Sophomore Lily Holtje added another RBI before the frame ended with FAU up 3-1.
THE TURNING POINT
USF threatened with runners on the corners leading to a run in the bottom of the fifth.
Lambert checked back in and despite not allowing a hit, the Bulls scored twice more with consecutive runners narrowly avoiding the catcher’s tag at home to take a 4-3 lead.
THE FINISH
Down to their final three outs, redshirt junior outfielder Kylie Hammonds began the top of the seventh with a lead-off single.
Two consecutive sacrifice bunts followed, with freshman Lily Lowery reaching base on the fielder’s choice and Yeatts advancing the previous two runners to second and third. A strikeout and popup ended the game.
NOTES/NOTABLE
Hammonds recorded her team-leading 14th multi-hit game of the year.
Yeatts is on a six-game hitting streak. She is third on the team in American Conference play with 15 total.
In her first extended action during conference play, Lowery has tallied a hit in both games this series.
Lambert’s ERA drops to 2.70, third in the league.
UP NEXT
The series concludes on Sunday with a 1 p.m. first pitch on ESPN+.
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