BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Florida Atlantic baseball claimed an 8-3 win in game two of the three-game series with UAB on Friday afternoon. The Owls have won four in a row and cannot finish worse than fifth in the C-USA standings.
THE BEGINNING
UAB led 3-0 after one inning before the FAU offense began to chip away in the third. Armando Albert led off with a solo home run to put the Owls on the board. Back-to-back home runs by Mitchell Hartigan and Spencer Rich in the fourth tied the game.
THE TURNING POINT
The 3-3 tie persisted until the seventh. Base hits by Caleb Pendleton, Jackson Ross, and Nolan Schanuel loaded the bases with one out. Hartigan and John Schroeder drew consecutive walks to bring two runs across.
Still leading 5-3 in the ninth, Hartigan came through again, this time with an RBI single to score Schanuel. Rich then launched his second home run of the day to the deepest part of the park in center field.
THE FINISH
Robert Wegielnik entered in the seventh inning and pitched the final three frames to earn his sixth save. UAB loaded the bases in the ninth but couldn’t cash in.
THE ARMS
- Tyler Murphy made his fourth start of the season and pitched into the fourth inning.
- Murphy struck out four, walked one, and conceded three hits.
- Sam Drumheller recorded the last out of the fourth and pitched through the sixth.
- The lefty earned his second win of the season. He struck out three and walked two.
- Wegielnik has not allowed an earned run in his last 31 innings.
THE BATS
- Hartigan finished 3-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored.
- Schanuel doubled, singled twice, and walked twice to reach base five times. He’s now reached base successfully in 50 straight games.
- Rich finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and his first career multi-home run game.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Owls will look for a sweep in the regular season finale on Saturday. Game time has been moved up to 11 a.m. EST to avoid potential inclement weather.
