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BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic softball team continued its strong start to the 2026 season with a 4-3 victory over Wisconsin on Saturday night at FAU Softball Stadium. The Owls (3-0) remain undefeated, having defeated three Big Ten opponents in as many games. They held off a late rally from the Badgers (2-1) in the top of the seventh inning to secure the win. Freshman Makenna Lee made her collegiate debut in the pitching circle, allowing just two hits and striking out three over 3.1 innings. Senior pitcher Autumn Courtney entered in relief for her third appearance in as many days and earned the victory. THE BEGINNING Lee began her collegiate career with a strikeout and didn’t allow a run in the first inning. Sophomore second baseman Destiny Johns made a leaping catch for an out in the top of the second. In the bottom of the second, sophomore Lily Holtje hit a double to left center and scored on a hard-hit ball to the pitcher from redshirt senior shortstop McKenna Mulholland, giving the Owls a 1-0 lead. THE TURNING POINT Two more runs scored for Florida Atlantic in the bottom of the third. Redshirt junior outfielder Kylie Hammonds came home on a wild pitch, and senior third baseman Jesiana Mora scored on a groundout, extending the lead to 3-0. Lee continued to stifle the Badgers, not allowing a hit through the first three innings. With the bases loaded in the top of the fourth, Courtney was brought in and limited Wisconsin to just one run, maintaining a 3-1 advantage for the Owls. THE FINISH Courtney struck out two batters in a 1-2-3 fifth inning. Mora then drove in Hammonds with an RBI double in the bottom half of the inning, increasing the Owls’ lead to 4-1. Wisconsin threatened in the top of the seventh, hitting a two-run home run to make it a one-run game and putting another runner on base. Courtney responded by recording two crucial outs to close out the game and secure the victory. NOTES/NOTABLE
- The Owls are now 9-3 against Power Five conference opponents in the last two seasons.
- Kylie Hammonds has reached base in 29 consecutive games, dating back to 2025. She finished the night with two hits.
- Jesiana Mora recorded her second multi-hit game of the season.
- The pitching duo of Lee and Courtney combined for eight strikeouts. The Owls have recorded at least eight strikeouts in each of their three games to start the season.
GALLERY
QUOTABLE
Postgame with Coach Jordan#WIP🏝️ pic.twitter.com/Ewiaszjqef
UP NEXT The Owls will conclude the Paradise Classic on Sunday, February 8, with games against Stonehill at 1:30 p.m. And Delaware at 4 p.m. Both games will be streamed on FAUSports.com. FOLLOW THE OWLS For the Owls’ complete schedule, click HERE. To follow the team socially, visit @fausoftball, or for the most up-to-date information, go to www.fausports.com.
