The Owls have been taking advantage of their baserunners in any fashion possible, with 9 runs on 7 hits. This might just be the funniest way they'll bring home a run today.

YEEEEEEET 👀

That throw just SAILS ⛵️ on Charlotte and allows for yet another FAU run. The Owls put 3 more runs on the board in the 4th.#FAU 9 - #UNCC 2 | E4 | @LealLaw pic.twitter.com/XldNJ21Kn4

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) May 27, 2021

The bullpen has been able to rest easy knowing Javi Rivera is handling most of the innings. If Javi can go the distance, that would be HUGE in preserving the bullpen arms for later on in the tournament.

TAKE A SEAT! 💺@27_javiR SITS DOWN his 5⃣th batter! He's allowed just seven hits, three runs, and two walks through six innings! #FAU 9 - #UNCC 3 | E6 | @LealLaw pic.twitter.com/JYY7SnadYr

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) May 27, 2021

Ever since the third inning, pitching and defense have been a HUGE part of the story for the Owls. They've held that powerful Charlotte offense off the board for the most part, allowing just one run since then. They allowed the offense to build that lead.

The Owls are CRUISING now! 🚘

Javi Rivera and the Owls have allowed just one run since the 3rd inning, allowing the team to hold their six-run lead!#FAU 9 - #UNCC 3 | E6 | @LealLaw pic.twitter.com/Oz6WfSziqu

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) May 27, 2021

Same story, new inning. The Owls are maintaining that lead. Adrien Reese now takes the mound in the 9th to close it off.

WHAT A SNAG! 🔥@BJMurray14 makes it look easy, as the Owls are one inning away from eliminating 1-seed Charlotte!#FAU 9 - #UNCC 3 | E8 | @LealLaw pic.twitter.com/V5KiGbMKEo

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) May 27, 2021

My vote for most improved pitcher.....javi Rivera

Hold on to your horses, fellas, we got a game on Friday. Adrien Reese had a bit of a rough time in the bottom of the 9th, giving up four of the five UNCC runs, but Dante Visconti is able to get the last two outs and secure the victory.

OWLS WIN! | #FAU 9 - #UNCC 8

Charlotte made things interesting with a 5-run 9th inning, but the Owls hold on for the upset.@jackowenny: 2-5, 4 RBI, HR
Steven Loden: 2-4, RBI@mitchhartigan24: 2-5, RBI

FAU will play the loser of #ODU vs #MTSU tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. pic.twitter.com/wDUltduNPN

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) May 27, 2021

The losers bracket is a long and winding road.

It was win-or-go-home for the FAU Baseball team, and win they did, sending top-seeded Charlotte home with a 9-8 victory. The Owls were holding on to a 9-3 lead for the latter half of the game, but a five-run ninth inning put the 49ers within striking distance. Now, the Owls live to see another day, awaiting the loser of Old Dominion vs Middle Tennessee.

The Rundown

• The Owls' offense was the main focal point of their victory, notching 11 hits, a .309 batting average, five walks, and three hit by pitches.
• Javi Rivera had a dominant outing, allowing just three runs, nine hits, and two walks while striking out nine batters in eight innings.
• Nolan Schanuel left the game after taking a pitch to the wrist, he is yet to be evaluated and he's questionable for the Owls' upcoming game.
• FAU made the most of their opportunities with runners on base, hitting .316 with runners on, .308 with runners in scoring position, and .333 with the bases loaded.
• Owl batters started off innings with a hit at a .556 clip (5-9), in contrast, Owl pitching allowed Charlotte to start off with a hit just 4-9 times (.444).

"Nothing really changed, we were able to get a big hit today, which we didn't do yesterday. McGowan wasn't at his best, he's an All-Conference guy and he wasn't at his best today. The big hit gave us some breathing room and made the guys feel good about themselves and then two innings later we scored three, we capitalized on some of their errors." -Head Coach John McCormack

The Owls will be back in action in Ruston tomorrow in another win-or-go-home scenario against the loser of ODU vs MTSU. First pitch will be at 4:00 pm and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

UPDATED SCHEDULE: HERE

Just a quick side-note, our good pal Jack Whidden III will be filling in for me tomorrow because I'll be in the air on my way to Colorado, but I'll be back on the beat on Saturday if the Owls win. I'll be repping the Owls from my flight… Go Owls!

FINAL:

ODU 10  MTSU 6

Owls will take on the Blue Raiders tomorrow at 4:00 PM in an elimination game.