April 19, 2005

With six games to go in their conference schedule, things really start to heat up this week for the FAU softball team. A non-conference trip to familiar foe Florida International on Wednesday will be followed by the Owls' biggest conference doubleheader of the season on Friday when first-placed Troy come to town. The Trojans currently sit two games ahead of the Owls at 13-1 in the A-Sun, but the Owls can still take the regular season title by winning all six of their remaining games. After Troy, the Owls will face fifth-placed Stetson on Saturday to close out the week.

Last week saw the Owls go 3-1 on their Georgia road trip. It was nearly 4-0. After sweeping Mercer 5-0 and 6-4 on Friday thanks to two home runs each by senior Jenn Piazza and junior Danielle Arriaga and a complete game shutout in game one by sophomore Meghan Doonan, the Owls split with Georgia State in Panthersville on Sunday. In a 1-0 game one loss, the Owls were limited to three hits by GSU's second starter, Meghan McCoy. Sophomore Ashley Greene responded in game two by two-hitting the Panthers in a ten-inning, 2-0 victory.

Let's take a look at the Owls' opponents this week (all statistics and records through April 18):

Florida International (26-20, 4-4 Sun Belt) - Wednesday, April 20, 6 p.m. @ FIU's University Park
The Owls and the Panthers will meet for the fifth time this season and if things continue as they have in the past, the game will be a close affair; the last six games between the two teams have been decided by one run. FIU is off to a 4-4 in Sun Belt play after sweeping North Texas and then getting swept themselves by ranked Louisiana-Lafayette. Pitching continues to be FIU's strength, as their 1.45 team ERA indicates, but they are also struggling at the plate with only a .231 average. DeOmni Murray leads the Panthers in average at .284, while starters Amanda Nealer (1.22 ERA) and Tiffany Ore (1.57) are a handful in the circle.
All-time series: FAU leads 33-16.
Last meeting: FAU won 3-2 in 10 innings on 3/13/05.

Troy (37-16, 13-1 A-Sun) - Friday, April 22, 6 & 8 p.m. @ FAU Field
Undoubtedly the biggest surprise in the A-Sun this year, the Trojans were picked to finish fourth in both preseason polls, but have cruised so far in conference play, losing only once to Lipscomb in 14 games. Five starters are hitting over .300 including 2004 All-Conference first team catcher Tamra Howren, who is close to the top in the conference with her .372 average, 16 doubles, 15 home runs and 47 RBI. Troy is not short of pitching, either, with Jocelyn McCallum and her A-Sun leading 0.78 ERA and second stater Kacie Flinn and her 1.25 ERA.
All-time series: FAU leads 15-4.
Last meeting: FAU won 1-0 on 5/14/04.

Stetson (31-16, 9-5 A-Sun) - Saturday, April 23, 6 & 8 p.m. @ FAU Field
Stetson, always a perennial contender in the A-Sun, are the top hitting team in the conference with their .307 team batting average. Melissa Wiggins leads the conference in average by a long way with a .432 and is in the top five in most major offensive categories. Brittani Houghton leads a solid pitching staff with her 1.26 ERA while holding opponents to a .175 average against her. All-time series: FAU leads 28-10.
Last meeting: Stetson won 3-2 on 5/13/04.

Live statistics from the FIU game will be available at www.fiusports.com, while live stats from both home conference doubleheaders will be available here at www.fausports.com.

Tickets for the home doubleheaders are $6 for adults and $4 for youths and seniors and are available at the gate or by calling 1-866-FAU-OWLS.