HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Florida Atlantic University baseball team dropped game two of a three-game series against Southern Miss. on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 6-4.
QUOTABLE
“It’s disappointing that we were up 3-1 and just couldn’t get enough outs,” lamented head coach John McCormack. “We walked five guys in one inning, made an error. We’ve got to learn how to close out games and we haven’t been able to do that.”
THE BEGINNING
The Owls trailed 1-0 entering the fifth inning when Jalen DeBose led off with a base hit. After Dylan Goldstein was hit by a pitch, Nolan Schanuel came to the plate with one out. The sophomore first baseman connected on the first pitch he saw for his team-leading sixth home run of the season. FAU would add to the lead in the sixth on a two-out RBI double by Gabriel Rincones, Jr.
THE TURNING POINT
Southern Miss. came back with two runs in the bottom of the sixth and then reclaimed the lead with two in the seventh. The Owls’ pitching and defense helped out with an error, two walks, and a wild pitch. USM added one more in the eighth without registering a hit. Four walks and a hit batter made it 6-4 Golden Eagles.
THE FINISH
Attempting to recreate Friday night’s ninth inning comeback, the Owls put two on with one out in the final frame. The Golden Eagles brought in closer Garrett Ramsey, however, and worked out of the jam with a strikeout and a pop up.
THE ARMS
- Tibur Rivero took a no-decision after five strong innings. He allowed just four hits and gave way to the bullpen after facing two hitters in the sixth
- Evan Waterbor was charged with the loss despite not allowing an earned run in 1.2 innings
THE BATS
- Schanuel homered for the fourth-consecutive game. He finished 3-4 and reached base in four of five plate appearances
- Rincones, Jr. singled in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to 15 games
- DeBose went 2-4 with two singles and two runs scored
WHAT’S NEXT
The Owls will try again for their first Conference USA win in Sunday’s series finale. First pitch at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg is scheduled for 11:30 am (EST).
TICKETS
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