Feb. 12, 2008

BOCA RATON, FL - This weekend the Florida Atlantic softball team will host its second annual Strike Out Cancer Tournament.

The tournament will also double as a fundraiser for Relay for Life. Last year's inaugural event raised more than $1,400 for the American Cancer Society. Once again, FAU will wear pink jerseys to mark the event. Missouri State, Long Island University, Miami (OH), Kent State and North Carolina State round out the tournament field.

FAU (2-2) will try to bounce back after losing twice on the final day of last weekend's Kick-Off Classic, falling to Michigan and UMass by matching scores of 5-2. The Owls face N. C. State in their first game on Friday. The Wolfpack (3-2) are led by reigning ACC Player of the Week Shanna Smith who hit .529 with 7 RBI in last weekend's UCF Tournament in Orlando. Kent State will provide the opposition for the Owls' second game on Friday. The Golden Flashes (2-3) will be looking to rebound from a frustrating weekend after losing two one-run games at the Carolina Classic.

Miami (OH) returns to Boca Raton for a second consecutive year and will face FAU on Saturday. The Redhawks, who will open their 2008 season in this weekend's tournament (26-35-1) lost to FAU on Day 1 of last year's Miken Invitational. FAU finishes up action on Saturday night by facing Missouri State. The Bears finished the 2007 season below .500 (21-29), but return 15 letterwinners and their entire pitching staff from last year's squad.

Action in this weekend's tournament starts at 9 a.m. on Friday when LIU plays N.C. State. The Owls take the field at 6 p.m. when they play the Wolfpack, followed by the Owls taking on Kent State at 8 p.m. All the weekend's games will be available via GameTracker by clicking on the softball page at fausports.com.