| 3/16/2024 | Baseball | Box Score BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic baseball’s offense was quiet for most of the day on Saturday against Maine… until the bottom of the ninth. The Owls scored six runs in the final frame capped off by a walk-off grand slam off the bat of Christian Adams to defeat the Black Bears 6-4 and secure a series victory. THE BEGINNING Maine scored three runs in the third inning and one in the fourth. Meanwhile the Owls did not record a hit until there were two outs in the fifth inning. THE TURNING POINT/THE FINISH The Owls bullpen stepped up and held Maine without a run after the fourth. Despite posting just two hits, the FAU offense entered the bottom of the ninth with a faint chance. Jake Millan, Nick Garagozzo, and Jalen DeBose sparked the rally with three consecutive singles to start the final frame. Andrew McKenna then hit a line drive to center which was trapped by the Maine center fielder. Millan scored to put the Owls on the board. With the bases still loaded, Brando Leroux was hit by a pitch forcing home another run. Maine went to a lefthanded reliever to face Christian Adams with the bases loaded and no one out. With an 0-1 count, the Owls’ second baseman connected on a hanging slider and sent a walk-off grand slam into the bullpen in right field. CHRISTIAN ADAMS WALK OFF GRAND SLAM! OWLS WIN 6-4! #WinningInParadise pic.twitter.com/aVaGrxPXel– Florida Atlantic Baseball (@FAUBaseball) March 16, 2024 QUOTABLE Postgame with @FAUCoachMac and the man who hit the walk-off winner @christiannnn_9 #WinningInParadise pic.twitter.com/zfO3s6NtFr– Florida Atlantic Baseball (@FAUBaseball) March 16, 2024 THE ARMS Trey Beard recorded a career high five strikeouts in 2.2 innings. He allowed three runs on seven hits while also issuing three walks. Steven Andrews conceded one unearned run in an inning and a third. Kyle Beaty got the first out of the fifth before allowing a double and walk. He was relieved by Max Martzolf. Martzolf worked out of the jam in the fifth and then stranded the bases loaded in the sixth. Brandon Smith held the Black Bears scoreless in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings.12 of Maine’s 15 hits were singles. THE BATS Adams recorded two of the Owls’ seven hits. The walk-off grand slam was his third home run of the season. In addition to his ninth inning single, McKenna drew a walk and was hit by a pitch. He has reached base safely in 10 straight games. WHAT’S NEXT The Owls will go for the series sweep on Sunday at noon. 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. |
