| Florida Atlantic (28-20) at Florida Gulf Coast (35-12) I Swanson Stadium |
| Game Details | Fort Myers, Fla. | Tuesday, May 9, 2023 I 6:30 p.m. | |
| Game Coverage | Live Stats HERE; Watch HERE; Listen HERE | |
| Probable Starters | FAU Brandon Smith (RHP) vs. FGCU Stephen Wilmer (LHP) | |
| FAU Links | News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | |
| FGCU Links | News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | |
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Atlantic baseball matches up with Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday with hopes of clinching the season series. The Owls have won the first two meetings with FGCU, 8-4 on April 4 in Boca Raton and 5-4 a week later in Fort Myers. The teams will complete the season series next week at the FAU Baseball Stadium.
OWLS IN REVIEW
The Owls took two of three over the weekend in Charlotte. Both victories on Friday and Saturday were comeback wins.
The Owls trailed 2-0 entering the eighth inning in game one. After tying the game on RBIs from Nolan Schanuel and John Schroeder, Robert Wegielnik worked out of a bases loaded, no out jam in the bottom of the eighth. In the ninth, Spencer Rich led off with a walk, stole second, stole third, and scored when the attempted throw to third caromed into left field. Wegielnik closed it out with a perfect bottom of the ninth.
Saturday’s hole was deeper but the Owls found a way. They trailed 6-0 after two and 9-4 after seven. After climbing back in it with four runs in the eighth, Wegielnik again stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of penultimate inning. In the top of the ninth, Rich came through for the second straight day. The Owls’ centerfielder lined a two-out, two-run homer to give FAU its first lead of the day.
OWLS IN REVIEW
For his performances on Friday and Saturday, Wegielnik was named C-USA Pitcher of the Week on Monday. The redshirt junior has held opponents scoreless for 23 straight innings.
After his two-run homer on Saturday, Rich homered again on Sunday. Since returning to a full-time role two weeks ago, Rich has nine RBIs in seven games.
THE OPPONENT
Florida Gulf Coast rebounded after dropping the series opener with Stetson to win the next two on Saturday and Sunday. At 18-6, the Eagles are tied for first in the ASUN.
FGCU will give lefthander Stephen Wilmer the start on the mound on Tuesday. Wilmer has been primarily used as an outfielder until recently. Tuesday will be his third start of the season.
UPCOMING
The Owls return home for a three-game series with Louisiana Tech beginning Friday night.
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