3/9/2025 | Baseball | Box Score
MIAMI, Fla. – Florida Atlantic baseball went on the road on Sunday and never trailed in a 6-4 series finale victory over FIU. The two teams will meet again later this season in Boca Raton on April 29.
THE BEGINNING
Florida Atlantic (12-3) opened the scoring in the first inning. Marshall Lipsey led off with a single and later crossed home on a chopper through the left side of the infield by Jake Millan. FIU (12-5) answered with a solo homer in the bottom of the inning.
THE TURNING POINT
The Owls scored the game’s next four runs spread out across three separate innings. A two-RBI double by Dylan LaPointe in the fourth would give the visitors a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Lipsey led off with a home run in the fifth, and John Schroeder followed suit in the sixth.
On the other side, James Litman was in control on the mound. The freshman retired the Panthers in order in the third, fourth, and fifth innings. He allowed a second solo home run in the sixth before finishing his day with a ground out and a strikeout.
THE FINISH
Patrick Ward delivered a pinch-hit RBI single in the eighth inning. FIU connected for its fourth solo home run of the day in the ensuing half-inning to cut the deficit to 6-4.
MJ Bollinger came on for the bottom of the ninth to try and secure the save for the second straight day. After walking the leadoff man, the sophomore struck out the next two batters. Pinch-hitter Enrique Alvarez hit one to the track in left field, but FIU’s hopes of a comeback died there. Schroeder made the catch at the wall to seal the victory and the series for the Owls.
THE BATS
- The Owls out-hit the Panthers 13-6.
- Five different Owls finished with multiple hits.
- Schroeder doubled in addition to his sixth-inning home run.
- Brando Leroux and Jake Duer singled twice each. Duer maintained his .500 (32-for-64) batting average for the season.
- Millan reached base four times with a single, double, walk, and a hit-by-pitch.
THE ARMS
- Litman was credited with the win (2-0) after reaching a new career high with six innings.
- The freshman allowed three hits, did not walk a batter, and tied a career high in strikeouts (five) for the second straight start.
- Carter Holjes and Steven Andrews bridged the gap to the ninth for Bollinger.
- Bollinger registered his fifth save of the season.
QUOTABLE
Postgame with @FAUCoachMac #WIP pic.twitter.com/BMCmi4Tzpv– Florida Atlantic Baseball (@FAUBaseball) March 9, 2025
WHAT’S NEXT
The Owls will start a five-game week on Tuesday when they host Bucknell at 6:30 p.m. The Owls and the Bison will also play Wednesday at 4 p.m. before Bradley comes to town to start a weekend series on Friday night. All games can be streamed on FAUSports.TV.
