BOCA RATON, Fla. – Nolan Schanuel hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning and Robert Wegielnik struck out the side in the ninth to lead the Florida Atlantic University baseball team (20-10) to a 5-3 win over UCF (18-11) on Tuesday night.
THE BEGINNING
UCF opened the scoring in top of the first but Gabriel Rincones, Jr. responded with a solo home run to tie it in the bottom of the frame. The Knights retook the lead in the second and held a 3-1 advantage entering the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Armando Albert lined a 2-1 pitch over the right field fence to cut the deficit back to one.
THE TURNING POINT
FAU trailed 3-2 in bottom of the eighth when Rincones, Jr. drew a four-pitch leadoff walk. Schanuel stepped in next and launched a deep drive into the trees in right center field. The sophomore’s ninth home run of the season gave the Owls their first lead of the night.
After Steven Loden singled and Shane Magrann was hit by a pitch, Caleb Pendleton roped a base hit past the third baseman to add an insurance run. The home side held a 5-3 advantage with just three outs to go.
THE FINISH
Wegielnik allowed one baserunner before striking out the side in the ninth inning to preserve the victory.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach John McCormack
“That was a really fun game to be a part of. When we went to their place a week ago, it didn’t go our way. I thought the guys were really ready to play tonight.”
On the events that led to the game-winning home run in the eighth inning
“The thing that goes unnoticed is that walk by Gabe to get Nolan up. If he makes an out there, they probably intentionally walk Nolan just like they did the inning before. That was huge for Gabe to lay off those pitches and recognize the moment.”
THE ARMS
- In a midweek bullpen game, the Owls used seven pitchers — five of whom didn’t allow an earned run
- Bryan Boully started before passing it off to Marc DeGusipe for the second inning
- Evan Waterbor handled a scoreless third and fourth inning
- Max Martzolf took over for Dante Visconti in the fifth with two outs and runners at second and third. The freshman induced a fly out to strand the runners in scoring position. Martzolf would also pitch a perfect sixth inning
- Nicholas Del Prado delivered a clean seventh before allowing a walk and a hit in the eighth
- Wegielnik relieved Del Prado and forced a line-out, double play at second base
- With a scoreless ninth inning, the redshirt sophomore earned his second win of the season. His ERA now stands at a team-best 2.35
THE BATS
- Rincones, Jr. briefly held the team-lead in home runs before Schanuel tied him with his ninth of the season
- The Owls racked up just seven hits, three of which left the park
- With his home run in the fifth inning, Albert reached base for the 27th consecutive game
- Dylan Goldstein doubled in the seventh inning to extend his reached-base streak to 24
WHAT’S NEXT
The Owls will welcome UAB to town on Friday for the start of a three-game C-USA series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 pm.
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.
