BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University baseball team tasted defeat for the first time in 2023 on Friday night. Defensive miscues and a quiet night from the offense added up to a 5-1 loss at the hands of South Florida.
THE BEGINNING
After both teams were held scoreless through the first two innings, the Bulls struck first in the third. With two on and two outs, Hunter Cooley induced what appeared to be an inning-ending pop up. Right fielder Dylan Goldstein overran it however and the ball bounced off his glove in fair territory. Two runs scored on the play.
THE TURNING POINT
USF doubled its lead in the fourth inning when Jackson Mayo launched a towering two-run home run to right field. The Bulls would tack on one more in the frame with the help of another two-out error by the Owls.
THE FINISH
Meanwhile, the FAU offense found scoring opportunities hard to come by against USF starter Hunter Mink. The lone run of the night came on an RBI double by John Schroeder in fifth inning. The Owls managed just six hits on the night.
QUOTABLE
Head coach John McCormack
“We have to give credit to them, they stuffed us. They had a good game plan and they executed it. Hunter pitched well. Smith threw well too. We have to be able to make plays to get out of innings. They had a good game plan against our hitters and we were slow to make adjustments.”
THE ARMS
- Cooley took the hard-luck loss despite six solid innings. Only two of the five runs were earned. He struck out six and did not walk a batter.
- Brandon Smith pitched the last three innings. He conceded just two hits.
THE BATS
- Schroeder was the bright spot for the Owls, finishing the night 2-for-3 with two doubles.
- Mitchell Hartigan and Jackson Ross had the Owls other two extra base hits.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Owls and Bulls will go again in game two at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
