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Tuesday, April 15, 2003
Win streak ends as FAU tops
Golden Panthers
 lorida
Atlantic pitcher Amanda Morin struck out six batters and the
Owls' lineup exploded for five doubles as FAU defeated Florida
International, 3-0, on Tuesday night in Miami. The loss halted
FIU's 13-game winning streak and served as the Golden Panthers
final tuneup before hosting No. 22 Louisiana-Lafayette this weekend
in a Sun Belt Conference series.
FIU's Kristen Perry finished the night 2-for-3 and Marleah
Stapf connected for her 10th double of the season, but the Golden
Panthers were not able to plate runs as they stranded five runners.
FAU got on the board in the first. With one out, Ginny Matthews
and Pam Mazzarella reached on back-to-back singles. With two
outs, Callie Piper loaded the bases with a walk. Ebony Gray capitalized
with a double to drive in Matthews and Mazzarella to make it
2-0.
The same cast helped add to the lead in the third when Matthews
led off with a double and came home on a single by Mazzarella
to give the Owls a 3-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth, FIU led off with consecutive
singles, but was unable to advance the runners after two pop-ups
and a strikeout. In the seventh, FIU put runners on first and
third before Morin retired Heather Taylor with a strikeout.
It was the fifth consecutive victory for Morin (13-11) and
her second shutout against FIU this season. FIU threw three pitchers
with starter Kendra Laminack (9-8) suffering the loss.
FAU improves to 28-24 while FIU dropped to 28-20. Tuesday's
contest ended the 2002-03 series between the South Florida rivals
as the two programs split, 3-3, this year.
FIU hopes to bounce back against the Ragin' Cajuns this Saturday
and Sunday. Doubleheaders beginning at 1:00 p.m. will be played
both days. |