March 8, 2005

After finishing runner-up for their second consecutive home tournament over the weekend, the Florida Atlantic University softball team (8-19) heads south to Miami on Friday to begin play in the five-team Blue & Gold Coca-Cola Classic hosted by FIU. Along with the Owls and the Golden Panthers, Manhattan, Quinnipiac and Tulsa are scheduled to compete. FAU opens play at 2 p.m. on Friday against Tulsa and live statistics from all games will be available on www.fiusports.com.

Last time it was Michigan, this time it was Bethune-Cookman who ended the Owls' hopes of a win in one of their four home tournaments this season. After opening their play in the Doubletree Worth Classic on Saturday with a 5-0 victory over UMass, the Owls fell 2-1 to Bethune in the day's finale.

A 1-1 record heading into Sunday meant FAU needed to beat No. 22 FIU to earn itself a spot in the championship game. Candice Freel, the tournament's MVP, threw her second consecutive three-hitter in a 2-1 victory over the Panthers to help the Owls move on to the title game. Unfortunately, B-CC continued their domination over the Owls this season with their third victory in as many tries. Three runs in the first inning were all the Wildcats needed in a 3-1 win.

Let's take a look at the Owls' opponents this weekend:

Tulsa (11-14) - Friday, March 11, 2005, 2 p.m. @ FIU's University Park
The Golden Hurricane, who finished 45-18 in 2004, return 13 players from a squad that set numerous offensive records last season. Junior Katie Torres is a legitimate power threat after breaking the school record with 15 home runs in 2004, although Tulsa's all-time home run leader has yet to go deep in 2005. Fellow junior Maren Genow was expected to continue her fine play from 2004 (22-3, 1.35), but is off to a 1-3, 3.74 start to this season. Sophomore Lindsey Galloway currently leads the team in RBI (12) and home runs (four).
All-time series: Never previously met.
Last meeting: N/A

Florida International (15-9) - Friday, March 11, 2005, 7 p.m. @ FIU's University Park
A 14-3 start to 2005 saw FIU ranked as high as 20th in the NFCA Top 25 poll, but the Golden Panthers have since lost six-of-seven including four defeats at FAU's Doubletree Worth Classic over the weekend. It has been a season of stark contrasts for the Panthers, who have a team ERA of only 0.90, but are hitting a poor .217 on the season. All three starters have ERAs under one, but only two batters are hitting over .250. Outfielder Deomni Murrary leads the squad in average (.351), runs (10), hits (26), and total bases (26). The Owls are 1-1 against the Golden Panthers this season.
All-time series: FAU leads 31-16.
Last meeting: FAU won 2-1 on 3/6/05.

Quinnipiac (1-2) - Saturday, March 12, 2005, Noon @ FIU'S University Park
The Bobcats return seven starters and three All-Conference selections from a 2004 team that went 16-4 in the Northeast Conference and fell in its championship game for the second year in a row. Senior shortstop Sarah Collins, a second-team All-NEC selection after hitting .322 with 14 doubles and 28 RBI, and fellow second-teamers outfielder Alyssa Mansolf, and right-hander Kim Norman, will look to put the Bobcats over the top this season.
All-time series: FAU leads 3-0.
Last meeting: FAU won 10-2 on 3/13/01.

Manhattan (3-1) - Saturday, March 12, 2005, 2 p.m. @ FAU's University Park
The Jaspers went 16-33 in 2004, but did manage to win nine MAAC games, the most since 1994. They are off to a good start in 2005, having won their first three games against Army, Colgate, and George Washington at the GW Colonial Challenge. Jaspers players also swept the MAAC weekly awards announced Monday as senior outfielder Jennifer McCracken won the Player-of-the-Week award while junior Jill Medea was named Pitcher-of-the-Week.
All-time series: FAU leads 5-0.
Last meeting: FAU won 8-0 on 3/12/04.

Daily passes for the Blue and Gold Coca-Cola Classic are $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for youth and senior citizens.