Paradise Brew 5/16: Lucky 13 Postseason Berth

The No. 2-seed Florida Atlantic softball team opens play in the NCAA Gainesville Regional today against No. 3-seed Georgia Tech.

May 16, 2025

Good Morning, Owl Family. The No. 2-seed Florida Atlantic softball team opens play in the NCAA Gainesville Regional today against No. 3-seed Georgia Tech. First pitch between the Owls (44-10) and the Yellow Jackets (27-22) is at 2 p.m. on ESPNU. In the double-elimination bracket, the victor of this game will play tomorrow against the winner of the matchup between No. 1-seed Florida and No. 4-seed Mercer. 

For the second straight year, FAU is in the NCAA Regionals, this time as the only team from a non-power conference to earn an at-large bid. This marks the program's 13th postseason berth, the most among any FAU sport.

What else do we have mixed into today’s Brew? Check it out below!

📚 FAU Athletics reported a department-wide GPA of 3.334
⚾️  Owls Baseball eliminates UAB from postseason contention with 12-9 win
🦉 And much, much more

🔼 Owls Let the Four-Baggers Fly. Florida Atlantic baseball used six home runs from four different players to take the series opener 12-9 over UAB on Thursday night. The Owls (35-18, 14-11) remain in fourth place in the American Athletic Conference with two games remaining, while UAB (23-29, 7-18) is eliminated from postseason contention.

🔼 Making Their Marks. The Florida Atlantic women's track & field team completed the first day of the 2025 AAC Outdoor Championships, hosted by Charlotte, on Thursday evening.

Camilla Nicholas registered a 24.32 in the 200-meter run for a new personal best. Senior Jordan O'Brien ran in her last event as an Owl and clocked a 1:04.00 to end her career with a new personal best.

🔼 Word to the Wise. FAU Athletics have announced a record-setting spring academically with a department-wide grade point of average of 3.334—the highest in a single-semester in school history. This extends the department's streak to 20 consecutive semesters with a GPA better than 3.0.

A total of 43 student-athletes completed the spring of 2025 with a perfect 4.0 GPA, including more than 30 who earned a spot on the President's List. Additionally, 37 were honored as Dean's List members. The highest team GPA was achieved by women's cross country (3.750), while the highest on the men's side was tennis (3.546).

🔼 The Future is Bright. NaShawn Tyson posted a final round 74 (+2) to finish in a tie for 35th at the NCAA Tallahassee Regional. Florida State's Luke Clanton finished at -15 to win the individual title by four shots.  

Tyson circled one birdie against three bogeys in Wednesday's final round. The sophomore posted back-to-back rounds of 73 on Monday and Tuesday.

🔼 Is It Destiny? Close Enough. FAU WBB continues to add depth at the guard position as head coach LeAnn Freeland welcomes graduate guard Destyne Jackson. Jackson joins the Owls for her final collegiate season after three seasons at Memphis.

During her senior season, Jackson appeared in 29 games and made two starts for the Tigers. She finished seventh on the team in scoring, scoring in double-figures five times. She scored a season-high 11 points against UAB and East Carolina.

🔼 Lights, Camera, Football. The 2025 AAC Football Championship Game will be televised on ABC, as announced Wednesday by the conference and ESPN.

The 2025 Championship Game is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m. ET. The game will be played at the home stadium of the conference's regular-season champion and will kick off ABC's Championship Weekend, which also includes the title games from the Big 12, SEC, and ACC.

🤓 The 2.98 GPA just recorded by the football team under new head coach Zach Kittley was the program's highest single-semester GPA. What other FAU team set its all-time semester record?

Got a guess?

Scroll to the bottom to find out!

Owl See You in Gainesville. It’s GO TIME!

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*All Times Are in ET

Friday, May 16
👟 Women’s X-Country/Track & Field @ AAC Outdoor Championships @ Charlotte, North Carolina
🥎 Softball vs. Georgia Tech @ NCAA Gainesville Regional @ 2 p.m. ESPNU
⚾️ Baseball @ UAB @ 6 p.m.

Georgia Tech in the Gainesville Regional this Friday, May 16. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. on ESPNU.

Saturday, May 17
👟 Women’s X-Country/Track & Field @ AAC Outdoor Championships @ Charlotte, North Carolina
⚾️ Baseball @ UAB @ 2 p.m.

Paradise Trivia is brought to you by Choice Mortgage Group, the Official Mortgage Lender of Florida Atlantic Athletics.

The Answer: Women’s Cross Country!

The 2.98 GPA recorded by the football team was the program's highest single-semester GPA, as head coach Zach Kittley's squad joined women's cross country (3.750) in setting all-time semester records. Men's basketball's 3.032 GPA was its highest in a semester since 2016, while softball's 3.685 was its highest all-time for a spring semester.

🦉 Have a wonderful weekend, Owl Fam!