2/28/2025 | Baseball | Box Score
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic baseball took the series opener 5-2 over Fordham on Friday night. The Owls improved to 8-1 on the season.
THE BEGINNING
Fordham scored an unearned run in the top of the first before the Owls quickly responded in the home half. Ayden Garcia lined a single up the middle to score Marshall Lipsey. A Fordham error in the second inning led to another run.
THE TURNING POINT
FAU starter Trey Beard allowed a double in the first inning but held the Rams without another hit until the fifth. The sophomore started to tire in the sixth but worked out of trouble to preserve a 3-1 lead. He would complete his night with 12 Ks in six innings, two hits, and one unearned run allowed.
Fordham loaded the bases against the Owls’ bullpen with one out in the eighth. After cutting the deficit to 3-2, the Rams tried to tag home a runner from third on a fly out to center. FAU centerfielder Marshall Lipsey delivered a perfect throw to the plate and cut the runner down easily to end the inning and keep the one-run lead.
THE FINISH
Nick Romano launched a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to pad the Owls’ lead. MJ Bollinger pitched a clean ninth inning to secure the victory.
THE BATS
- Garcia finished 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI singles
- Patrick Ward doubled, singled, and scored a run
- Romano’s home run was his second of the season
- Jake Duer recorded his 20th hit of the season and extended his hitting streak to eight games
- Lipsey singled, stole two bases, and scored two runs
THE ARMS
- Beard improved to 2-0 — the sophomore set a new career-high with 12 strikeouts
- Steven Andrews was first out of the bullpen and allowed one run on two hits – he struck out three
- Bollinger recorded his third save of the season
QUOTABLE
Postgame with @FAUCoachMac #WIP pic.twitter.com/l7faPinFpG– Florida Atlantic Baseball (@FAUBaseball) March 1, 2025
WHAT’S NEXT
The Owls go for the series win on Saturday at 4 p.m.
