Today, the FAU softball team opens its 2017 season as defending Conference USA champions. Last year, the Owls ended the season ranked in the Top 25 nationally and made their second-straight NCAA Regional appearance.

For the second season in a row, senior pitcher Kylee Hanson was named Conference USA Preseason Pitcher of the Year and was one of 50 players named to the Preseason Watch List for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award. Kylee ended the 2016 season with a nation-best ERA of 0.76. She received NFCA All-American honors and was named Pitcher of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year for Conference USA.

The team received their championship rings in a ceremony on Saturday, January 21, and the following Monday, Kylee and fellow senior pitcher Amanda Wilson surprised me with my own championship ring. The team was picked by league coaches to repeat as conference champions, so I look forward to receiving another ring!

I hope you will join me at the ballpark this season to cheer our Owls to victory! For tickets, call 1-866-FAU-OWLS or visit fausports.com. Go Owls!