April 22, 2003

Stetson 1, FAU 0 (Game 1)

FAU 2, Stetson 1 (Game 2)

BOCA RATON, FL -- In what turned out to be a pair of pitching duels, Florida Atlantic University split a doubleheader with Stetson University, Tuesday, at FAU Field in Boca Raton. FAU lost the first game, 1-0, before coming from behind to take game two, 2-1. With the game two win, FAU improved to 33-25 overall and 14-4 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Despite the split, FAU maintained its overall lead in the A-Sun.

Stetson (32-10, 12-6 A-Sun) did its damage in the fifth inning of game one. With two outs and a runner on third, Sherilynn Wilder singled to put the Hatters up 1-0. That would be all Stetson would need as FAU was held to just one base runner in the final three innings.

Candice Freel (15-11) suffered the loss despite allowing just three singles. She struck out three and walked one.

In the nightcap, the game was scoreless again until the fifth inning. With two outs, Wilder singled and then stole second. Emily Harris singled to right, and Wilder just beat the throw home to give Stetson a 1-0 lead.

FAU wasted no time in tying the game in the bottom of the inning. Jessica Braggins led off with a walk, and Jaime Melton came in as a pinch-runner. Melton advanced to second on a foul pop bunt by Ebony Gray. Michelle Shirah followed with a double to right field to drive in Melton and tie the game at 1-1.

The Lady Owls took the lead in the sixth on a bases loaded walk by Braggins with one out.

Amanda Morin picked up the win. She allowed one run on seven hits with five strikeouts and no walks. She won her eighth straight decision and improved to 16-11 on the year.

Stetson's Jennifer Buckley (10-6) picked up the win in game one while Blake Hoorelbeke (21-4) suffered the loss in game two.

Florida Atlantic next takes on Central Florida, Saturday, in an A-Sun doubleheader in Orlando, FL.