April 15, 2008

BOCA RATON, FL - The Florida Atlantic University softball team will travel to take on the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and the University of Louisiana-Monroe this week.

The Owls (28-19, 10-3 Sun Belt) won their only game last week, defeating rival Florida International 7-4 in Miami on Wednesday. It was their 10th consecutive regular season win over the Golden Panthers.

FAU begins a pivotal three-game series against Louisiana-Lafayette on Wednesday. The Ragin' Cajuns (31-10, 9-2) were the preseason pick to win the conference and are currently in first place after a three game sweep of the University of South Alabama. They are ranked 18th in the country in the latest USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll. ULL features the reigning Sun Belt Pitcher and Player of the Week in Donna Bourgeois and Holly Tankersley, respectively. Tankersley, the Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year, has lived up to her billing, ranking in the top-10 nationally in numerous offensive categories. The Owls will be seeking revenge for a three-game sweep at the hands of ULL last season in Boca Raton.

Louisiana-Monroe will host FAU for a three-game set this weekend. The Warhawks (15-26, 7-8) enter the weekend on a five-game conference winning streak after taking their final two meetings with South Alabama and sweeping Western Kentucky University. ULM is led by Brianna Love, who is second on the team in batting average (.273) and leads the team in homeruns with seven. FAU took two of last year's three meetings in Boca Raton, including a 5-1 victory in the final game to clinch the series.

Wednesday's doubleheader against Louisiana-Lafayette will begin at 6 p.m. Live stats and play-by-play of all this week's games will be available at fausports.com.