| 2/13/2025 | Baseball BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic baseball kicks off the 2025 season on Friday night at home against Delaware. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday is a 4 p.m. start, and Sunday’s series finale is scheduled for noon. Single-game and season tickets are still available. If you can’t make it to the ballpark, you can watch online on FAUSports.com/watch. OWLS IN REVIEW It took until the final day of the regular season, but the 2024 Owls earned a spot in the AAC Tournament with a win in the finale against UTSA. Since John McCormack took over as head coach in 2009, the Owls have qualified for the conference tournament 13 times in 14 opportunities. The Owls went 2-2 in the 2024 AAC Tournament, knocking out UTSA and Charlotte before falling to Tulane. NEW FACES TO NOTE The 2025 roster includes 18 newcomers. Look for outfielders Marshall Lipsey and Danny Baez and catcher Ayden Garcia to make an immediate impact in the starting lineup. Lipsey appeared in 118 games in two seasons at Blinn College (Texas) and was a part of the 2024 National Championship team. Baez is a transfer from nearby Indian River SC, where he hit seven home runs and racked up 64 RBI in 88 games. Garcia is just the fourth player in program history from the state of California. In 87 games at Golden West College, Garcia hit 13 home runs and totaled 79 RBI. ON THE MOUND Trey Beard will get the call for the opening night start on Friday. Beard made 15 starts as a freshman, totaling 65 innings. He was named to the AAC All-Freshman team. Tyler Murphy will start the season in the weekend rotation for the third straight campaign. Murphy got off to a hot start as a sophomore, allowing just three earned runs in his first 20 innings. The nod on Sunday will go to freshman James Litman. In four seasons at West Boca HS, Litman appeared in 30 games with a 1.79 ERA in 187.1 innings. ABOUT THE BLUE HENS Florida Atlantic and Delaware have met nine times before, with the Owls leading the series 8-1. The Blue Hens are led by former FAU Associate Head Coach Greg Mamula, now in his second season at the helm.Delaware finished 31-26 in Mamula’s first season with a 16-11 record in CAA play. Offensively, the Blue Hens are led by senior outfielder Aaron Graeber. The N.J. native led UD in home runs (14) and finished second in RBI (52).On the mound, redshirt freshman Ryan McLaughlin will make his first career start on Friday. Senior lefty Ethan Shaub will go on Saturday after making 10 starts in 2024. WEEKEND PROMOTIONS To celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, we’re giving away a V-Day themed t-shirt (presented by Demand the Limits Injury Attorneys, limited quantities). Every Sunday home game this season is a Demand the Limits Sunday Funday. After the game, run the bases, get autographs and photos, and collect a limited-edition trading card. This Sunday’s featured card is sophomore pitcher Trey Beard. WHAT’S NEXT The Owls will play nine of the first 10 games at home. The stretch of home games continues Tuesday against Miami. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Get your tickets here. |
