4/26/2024 | Baseball | Box Score
TAMPA, Fla. – Florida Atlantic baseball held off a ninth inning charge from USF to take the series opener 3-2 on Friday night. The Owls will have a chance to win the series on Saturday at 2 p.m.
THE BEGINNING
Starting pitching from FAU’s C.J. Williams and USF’s Hunter Mink dominated the first half of Friday’s matchup. The Owls had the only hit of the game – a first inning single off the bat of Andrew McKenna – until one out in the bottom of the fifth. The Bulls strung together back-to-back two out singles combined with an FAU error to lead 2-0.
The Owls responded in the next half-inning, also with two outs. Another single by McKenna was followed by a two-run homer from Christian Adams.
THE TURNING POINT
Florida Atlantic took its first and last lead of the night in the top of the eighth. Jalen DeBose manufactured a run almost completely on his own. The senior hit a high chopper single over the third baseman’s head and then stole second. With one out, DeBose was on the move on a 2-2 pitch to McKenna. Despite a groundout to second base, he didn’t stop at third. He kept running and crossed home standing up to make it a 3-2 game.
DeBo just put on a baserunning CLINIC! Hit, stolen base, second to home on a groundout!
M8 | FAU 3, USF 2 pic.twitter.com/M0nEdHjs2Z– Florida Atlantic Baseball (@FAUBaseball) April 27, 2024
THE FINISH
Danny Trehey struck out the side in the eighth inning. In the ninth, USF started with a bloop single and then a hit batter. With two outs, a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third. Trehey buckled down though and got a swinging strikeout to end the game and secure the series opener for the Owls.
QUOTABLE
Postgame with @FAUCoachMac #WinningInParadise pic.twitter.com/fPfByd97px– Florida Atlantic Baseball (@FAUBaseball) April 27, 2024
THE BATS
- The Owls finished with four hits, two of which came from McKenna.
- Adams’ home run was his seventh of the year to tie John Schroeder for the team lead.
THE ARMS
- Williams received a no-decision after six innings with four hits and two runs (one earned) allowed. He struck out seven and walked one.
- Sam Drumheller pitched a scoreless seventh inning to earn his first win of the season.
- Trehey struck out four in two clean frames. He recorded his fourth save of the season.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Owls and Bulls will reconvene at 2 p.m. on Saturday for the middle game.
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.
