Florida Atlantic (33-18, 13-11 AAC) hosted in-state rival USF (27-22, 14-10 AAC) in a showdown with major conference implications. Sadly for the Owls, the Bulls came from behind twice to earn a series victory over FAU.
Game One
LHP Trey Beard and USF’s Corey Braun put on a scoreless pitchers duel in the first six innings until the Bulls took a 1-0 lead. Afterwards, South Florida scored another in the top of the seventh.
Florida Atlantic earned two hits in the top of the sixth inning as Jake Millan hit a three-run blast putting FAU ahead 3-2. Sadly for the Owls, the Bulls bounced back with a two-run frame in the top of the eighth and held on to win Game One.
Beard pitched 7.2 innings, allowing three runs, and six hits. He also struck out eight.
Game Two
On an emotional Senior Day, Florida Atlantic fell behind early 2-0. In the bottom of the second, FAU’s Ayden Garcia and Brando Leroux got on base. That set up a three-run third with Marshall Lipsey’s two-out two RBI single pushing the Owls ahead.
Later in the fourth, Garcia scored another for the Owls as FAU led 4-2.
The rest of the way it looked to be another pitchers duel, but in the eighth inning the Bulls evened the game at four. The Florida Atlantic offense stayed quiet, and USF came back to the plate in the ninth.
In the top of the ninth, South Florida scored five runs, securing a 9-4 win over the Owls, and a series win.
RHP Nick Wimberly made the start on Saturday due to Tyler Murphy being unavailable over the weekend. Wimberly made it only one inning before being pulled. He allowed two runs, hit two batters, and one hit.
In relief, Zach Kilby put on a show. The LHP went 4.1 IP, allowing only four hits, and striking out three. He also did not allow a run.
Game Three
Team leading home run hitter John Schroeder put Florida Atlantic ahead in the bottom of the first thanks to his two-run blast. USF scored two in the top of the third.
But, FAU responded by plating three in the bottom half of the third. Schroeder’s single to right field got the scoring started. Then Leroux drew a walk in a bases loaded situation giving the Owls their two-run lead back. Finally, a Millan sac-fly put FAU in front 5-2.
Only one more run came across the remainder of the contest as Florida Atlantic won 6-2.
SP James Litman pitched 4.1 innings, allowed two runs, and four hits.
Series Notables
FAU and USF both entered the weekend tied for Second in the AAC. After the weekend has played out, Charlotte owns that 2nd place spot, USF is 3rd, and the Owls are now 4th.
Florida Atlantic’s offense just struggled to find hits as the Owls hit .208 against the Bulls arms. On the flip side, pitching was great, allowing a 4.00 ERA, but USF had a .255 BA. It seemed that FAU could only score in waves in games two and three. That impacted offensive production, especially when hits were hard to come by.
1B Jake Millan had a .182 average at the plate, but led Florida Atlantic in RBI’s with four. If only the arms could have held on in Game One, then the slumping Senior could have played hero.
Alongside Millan was Schroeder and Lipsey in RBIs. Both had three, but Lipsey has proven he is one of the best offensive players not only in the American, but in the country.
The Junior OF is 2nd in the AAC and 56th in the nation in OBP, and when you can hit home runs, steal bags, and play great defense, you deserve the recognition. While the Owls missed out on a series win, Lipsey shows that the Owls have the talent to play with the rest of them.
Look Ahead
Florida Atlantic hosts FGCU in the home finale for the Owls on Tuesday. If FAU can win, then it will be their 11th series victory. First pitch is scheduled for 3 PM on Tuesday.