| 3/9/2024 | Baseball | Box Score BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic baseball started fast but could not keep the offense moving in a 7-4 defeat at FIU on Saturday. The sides will return to Boca Raton for the series finale on Sunday afternoon. THE BEGINNING The Owls recorded just one hit in the top of the first but it was a loud one. After a hit batter, an error, and a walk, John Schroeder went to the opposite field for a grand slam to put the visitors up 4-0 early.FIU chipped away with two runs in the second, one in the third, and one in the fourth to tie the game. THE TURNING POINT After a Spencer Rich bunt single in the third, the Owls’ next hit didn’t arrive until David Alvarez singled with two outs in the seventh. FAU put runners at the corners in the eighth but could not convert. In the bottom of the eighth, the first two reached base for FIU and a one-out intentional walk loaded the bases. Sam Drumheller relieved Kyle Beaty but the lefty’s 2-2 pitch hit the Panthers’ Brendan Roney, bringing the go-ahead run home. A two-RBI single followed to make it 7-4. THE FINISH The Owls went down in order in the top of the ninth. THE ARMS Freshman Trey Beard allowed four runs in three innings before giving way to Steven Andrews in the fourth.Andrews gave up just one hit in 3.1 scoreless frames.Beaty followed Ben Gilbert out of the bullpen and worked out of a jam with a double play ball in the seventh before the trouble in the eighth. THE BATS The Owls finished with just four hits. They drew two walks and struck out 11 times. WHAT’S NEXT The Owls and Panthers will play the rubber game on Sunday with first pitch scheduled for noon at the FAU Baseball Stadium. 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. |
