3/23/2025 | Baseball | Box Score
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Marshall Lipsey launched a go-ahead three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to lead Florida Atlantic baseball to a 6-4 victory over Rice on Sunday afternoon at the FAU Baseball Stadium. FAU improved to 19-5 overall and 2-1 in the American Athletic Conference, while the visiting Owls return to Houston at 5-19 overall and 1-2 in the AAC.
THE BEGINNING
Keeping with the series’ theme, Sunday’s finale was trending toward another pitcher’s duel in the early innings. FAU’s James Litman and Rice’s Tucker Alch combined to allow just four hits through the first three innings.
Rice broke the deadlock with a one-out RBI single in the fourth. Florida Atlantic responded with a run in the bottom of the inning after a walk, a single, and a throwing error.
Both starters pitched into the sixth inning. In the top of the frame, Litman gave way to Braden Ostrander after an error and a base hit. Ostrander recorded a strikeout, conceded a bunt single, and then induced a double play ball to second base to escape the jam with the game still tied.
In the home half, Alch departed after walking Jake Duer to lead off the inning. With two outs, Patrick Ward roped a double down the left field line to score Duer from first base and give FAU its first lead (2-1).
THE TURNING POINT
Rice came right back in the top of the seventh. Ostrander allowed a base hit, a sacrifice bunt, and a walk before turning it over to MJ Bollinger. Rice’s Treyton Duffield lined a base hit to center to score two and put the visitors back in front (3-2). Bollinger was able to limit the damage to one run with a ground out and a strikeout.
The lead would change hands one more time in the bottom of the seventh. Nick Romano and Brando Leroux were each hit by a pitch with one out. That gave Lipsey a chance, and the native of Longview, Texas, delivered. Lipsey launched a 3-2 pitch over the right field wall to give FAU a 5-3 advantage.
THE FINISH
Kyle Boylston looped a single to center in the bottom of the eighth to score Ward and add an important insurance run (6-3). Rice threatened one final time in the ninth against Bollinger. They put the first two batters on with a single and a double, but Bollinger countered with a strikeout and two groundouts to seal the victory.
THE BATS
- Lipsey’s home run was his fifth of the season to tie the team lead.
- The Texan has reached base safely in 22 straight games.
- Boylston and Ward each finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.
THE ARMS
- Litman received a no-decision despite five innings with one run allowed.
- The freshman struck out six, conceded four hits, and did not walk a batter.
- Ostrander was charged with two runs in his 1.1 innings of work.
- Bollinger was credited with the win to improve to 2-1.
- The sophomore struck out three and allowed one run in 2.2 innings.
QUOTABLE
Postgame with @FAUCoachMac #WIP pic.twitter.com/H4cxK63fI1– Florida Atlantic Baseball (@FAUBaseball) March 23, 2025
WHAT’S NEXT
The Owls will head out on the road for the next eight games. The longest stretch of the season away from home begins Tuesday at Florida Gulf Coast (8-16). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
