The rain cleared up and Shane Magrann struck out, back to regularly scheduled sunshine state baseball... hopefully.

HIPS DON'T LIE! Mitch Hartigan doing his best Shakira impression before knocking home the go-ahead run. The Owls' defense has been a bit leaky this game, so they are going to need more runs.

THE OWLS ARE ON THE BOARD! 👏

FAU puts up three runs in the third inning to take the lead, but FIU takes it right back with two runs of their own.#FAU 3 - #FIU 4 | E3 | @LealLaw pic.twitter.com/T8ar7VHZOH

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) April 25, 2021

The Owls were unable to get a hit with the bases loaded, flying out twice on top of a Jalen DeBose strikeout…

The Owls had a golden opportunity in the 6th with the bases loaded and no outs, but only get one run out of it.@CalebPendleton9 ties things up with a sac-fly. 👌#FAU 4 - #FIU 4 | E6 | @LealLaw pic.twitter.com/h17sRPfV8d

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) April 25, 2021

Sam Drumheller has been LIGHTS OUT through 4.2 innings, striking out five batters, only allowing two hits and no runs.

THE OWLS TAKE THE LEAD! 🚨@nicholastoney1 comes off the bench and hits a CRITICAL RBI single!#FAU 5 - #FIU 4 | E8 | @LealLaw pic.twitter.com/aSWHS5EPNA

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) April 25, 2021

Loden is 3-5 with an RBI today… he's been ON ANOTHER LEVEL this series.

The Owls had a HUGE top of the 9th. 💪

They plated 3️⃣ runs, all starting with an RBI single from, you guessed it, STEVEN LODEN!

He’s been ON FIRE! 🔥🔥🔥#FAU 8 - #FIU 4 | M9 | @LealLaw pic.twitter.com/V8PwtdFani

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) April 25, 2021

Braden Ostrander comes in clutch with a HUGE strikeout with the bases loaded and two outs to win the game for FAU!

OWLS WIN! 🥳 | #FAU 8 - #FIU 7

The Panthers spark up a bases-loaded rally in the ninth, but the Owls hold on to win game 4!

Steven Loden: 3-5, RBI@NSchanuel: 1-3, 1 RBI@mitchhartigan24: 3-5, RBI@samdrumheller: 5.1 IP, 6 Ks, 2 ER, 4 H

NEXT: Friday, Apr. 30 🆚FIU (5:00 pm) pic.twitter.com/UPvyxzXUlM

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) April 25, 2021

Really good baseball game. Loden is ridiculous.

Got a little concerned there at the end, but to win three games down there in an off year is still great.

The Owls had their backs against the wall in the bottom of the ninth, with FIU loading the bases with two outs. They managed to score three runs, but freshman pitcher Braden Ostrander came up huge with a strikeout to end the game with FAU on top 8-7. With that win, FAU clinched their first series victory since March 28 against Marshall, winning three of the four games. They face off against FIU again next week, as they look to lock up a spot in the C-USA Tournament.

The Rundown

• FAU hit very well with runners in scoring position, hitting 3-9 (.333). On the contrary, FIU hit 2-9 (.222).
• FAU pitchers had so much control over their pitchers in the first eighth inning, walking just one batter. The wheels fell off in the ninth inning, however, as FAU walked three batters, including a walk from Ostrander that put the Panthers within one run.
• Shane Magrann caught two FIU baserunners stealing. FAU as a whole did not allow a single stolen base.
• FAU left 11 men stranded on base throughout the game and hit 0-1 with the bases loaded.
• Sam Drumheller had the best outing of his career, pitching 5.1 innings, striking out six batters, and allowing just three runs.

"The top of the ninth was fantastic, we got a couple of two-out hits and we really showed maturity offensively. In the bottom of the ninth, we showed our immaturity too. We weren't able to throw strikes, we walked three and hit one. They always say those last three outs are the most crucial and we were able to close the door, but it got dicey." - Head Coach John McCormack

The Owls will return home to face off against this same FIU Panthers team on Friday, April 30 at 5:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on C-USA TV, with FAU's Jonathan Fraysure on the call.


UPDATED SCHEDULE: HERE