April 8, 2008

BOCA RATON, FL - Florida Atlantic University's softball team will play Florida International University on Wednesday, April 9, beginning at 7 p.m., in Miami. The game is the first in an unconventional three-game series, where the Owls will travel to Miami twice for single games, before hosting the Golden Panthers in their final home game of the season on Thursday, May 3.

Florida International is the Owls' most frequent opponent, the two teams have played each other 56 times. The first meeting did not occur until 1998. The Owls swept last season's regular season series, taking all three games in Boca Raton. Florida International gained a measure of revenge in the conference tournament, winning 12-9 in 15 innings in the tournament's opening game. FAU was able to rebound and won a rematch in the tournament 4-0 on their way to the title.

The Owls have won five of their last six conference games and took two of three from rival Troy, including a 2-1 win in 11 innings on Sunday. The team received a boost from the return of Blair Bodenmiller, who had missed several games due to injury. Bodenmiller went 4-for-12 over the weekend.

The Golden Panthers (22-26, 6-5) come into the game on having been swept by Louisiana-Lafayette over the past weekend. All-Sun Belt shortstop Monique White leads the team in batting average (.389), slugging percentage (.745) and on-base percentage (.459). White is also second on the squad in homeruns with 12.

Live stats and play-by-play of Wednesday's game will be available at www.fausports.com.