BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic University baseball fell to 7-4 after a third straight defeat at the hands of UCONN on Sunday afternoon. The Owls totaled 19 hits and seven runs in the three-game series after averaging 11 hits and over nine runs per game in the first eight games of the season.
THE BEGINNING
UCONN scored first for the third straight game. A two-run homer in the first inning had the Owls playing from behind. They would come back to tie it, however, without registering a hit in the bottom of the second. Four walks, two of which came with the bases loaded, and a hit batter was enough to even the score at 2-2.
THE TURNING POINT
After forcing UCONN starter Andrew Sears to an early exit, the FAU offense was held in check by reliever Thomas Ellisen. The redshirt freshman allowed just two hits in 3.2 innings. Meanwhile the Huskie offense broke through in the fourth.
Two walks, a wild pitch, and a hit batter loaded the bases. Two singles, a sacrifice fly, and a double followed leading to five runs and a 7-2 UCONN lead.
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THE FINISH
Down 8-2 in the ninth, the Owls had runners on first and third but could not cash in with the middle of the lineup at the plate.
QUOTABLE
Head coach John McCormack
“I am completely shocked. I never saw this coming. We talked about it in the bottom of the second. We put together some really good at-bats. We had our chance to break it open. Don’t get it done. Then in the fourth… walk, walk, hit by pitch and they’re off to the races and we never recovered. We had opportunities with guys on. Just couldn’t get a hit when we really needed it.”
THE ARMS
- Nicholas Del Prado took the loss after three innings with four runs and five walks allowed.
- Brandon Smith recorded the first two outs of the fourth inning before conceding three runs and giving way to Max Martzolf.
- The Owls used six pitchers from that point forward including Martzolf. None of the six allowed an earned run and UCONN totaled just three hits in the last six innings.
- Tyler Monzon and Sean Goodwin each made their FAU debuts with scoreless outings.
THE BATS
- Daulton Frank made his first career start and logged his first collegiate hit with a double in the eighth inning.
- Lucas Phelps recorded his first career multi-hit game with a pair of singles.
- The two teams combined for 18 walks and 23 runners left on base.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Owls will try to get back on track on Tuesday when travel to Gainesville for the first of two against No. 7 Florida. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
