The FAU softball team split in its second day of action on Saturday at the NTC Elite Invitation in Clermont, FL. The Owls bats were alive early in game one against Fordham, but were quieted and succumbed to 11 strikeouts, five in the final three innings to take the 1-0 loss. FAU senior pitcher Rose Gressley cleared the first three innings without a hit while the Owls had runners on base in each of their first three frames, including Kerri Croneys double in the bottom of the first. Fordham plated the first run of the game in the top of the sixth. The Rams lead-off hitter dropped a bunt that was fielded by Gressley who made the throw trying to catch the speedy base runner but the throw was wide putting the lead-off hitter on base. Fordham followed with a triple for the score. Gressley (0-2) then got a line out, a groundout and a fly to right to leave the potential second run on third. In the second game, FAU powered its way to a 3-1 victory over the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. UTC scored their only run in the second inning, taking advantage of FAU mistakes. FAU would take the lead in the top of the sixth when Brittany Walker drew a two-out walk and moved to second on a single to left by Kerri Croney, who was 5-for-14 in the tournament and 2-for-3 in the game. The duo was driven in by a three-run blast to the deepest part of the field by senior Rose Gressley, who played first. FAU was held scoreless in the seventh and held on to the 3-1 victory. The Owls next take on Michigan in day one of FAU Kick-Off Classic” tournament this Friday at 8:00 p.m. at FAU Softball Stadium.
