3/30/2024 | Baseball | Box Score
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Florida Atlantic baseball evened the series with Memphis with a 13-5 victory on Friday night. Saturday’s series finale has been moved up to a 1 p.m. EST first pitch.
THE BEGINNING
The Owls immediately jumped out to 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Base hits from Spencer Rich and Andrew McKenna set the table for John Schroeder who launched his fourth home run of the season 434 feet over the centerfield wall. The top of the order cashed in again in the second inning. This time, Rich drew a two-out walk and McKenna went to the opposite field for his second homer in as many days.
Memphis rallied back and tied the game in the bottom of the second inning. The Tigers scored five on five hits including a two-run homer.
THE TURNING POINT
The Owls regained the lead in the top of the third on a leadoff homer by Christian Adams. The senior second baseman blasted another solo shot in his next trip to the plate in the fifth inning.
It was 8-5 FAU in the bottom of the seventh when Memphis had its best chance to rally. Three consecutive one-out singles loaded the bases, but Steven Andrews recorded back-to-back strikeouts to escape the jam.
THE FINISH
The Owls pulled away for good in the top of the eighth with two more home runs. Emilio Gonzalez and Spencer Rich each tallied two-run blasts to make it a 12-5 lead. Gonzalez went deep again in the ninth inning to bring the team total to seven homers, tying the program single game record.
QUOTABLE
Postgame with @FAUCoachMac #WinningInParadise pic.twitter.com/vdqEbSCbiz– Florida Atlantic Baseball (@FAUBaseball) March 30, 2024
THE BATS
- One day after being held to one run on five hits, the Owls finished with 13 runs on 14 hits.
- Six different Owls recorded multi-hit games led by a 3-for-5 night from Gonzalez.
- In addition to McKenna, Rich, and Adams, Jake Millan and Carter Brady also had two hits each.
- Rich also stole two bases, scored three runs, and robbed a home run in centerfield with a leaping catch.
THE ARMS
- Max Martzolf relieved starter Tyler Murphy after four innings and pitched a scoreless fifth.
- Steven Andrews bridged the gap from the sixth through the eighth with three clean frames. He struck out five.
- Braden Ostrander returned to the mound for the first time in nearly three weeks and pitched a scoreless ninth.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Owls and Tigers will play the rubber game at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
THE TICKETS
To purchase FAU tickets, call 1-866-FAU-OWLS or click HERE. Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com, or through the baseball’s Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUBaseball.
