Florida Atlantic University’s baseball team defeated Presbyterian College 7-2 on March 11 to complete a two-game midweek sweep. The Owls have now won five consecutive games as they prepare for their upcoming series against UMBC.
The game began with Presbyterian scoring in the first inning, but Florida Atlantic responded in the second with two runs, aided by a walk, an infield single, and a throwing error. The Owls continued to build their lead with two more runs in the fourth inning and another in the fifth. TJ Gramesty hit an RBI double to left center, driving in Eli Small, followed by Marshall Lipsey’s single that brought Gramesty home. In the fifth inning, Xavier Moronta doubled and later scored on Patrick Ward’s single.
Lipsey added to his performance with a two-run home run in the sixth inning, marking his second homer of the season and increasing his RBI total to 11. Moronta reached base four times during the game through a double, a single, and two walks. Gramesty recorded his third multi-hit game of the season.
On the mound, freshman Brody Juntunen made his first career start for Florida Atlantic and allowed one run over two innings. Reilly Witmer and Carson Kimball kept Presbyterian scoreless from the third through fifth innings. Bryan Boully pitched the sixth and seventh innings with three strikeouts. Zach Kilby gave up one run in the eighth before Kyzer Smith closed out the ninth without allowing any runs.
Defensively, Florida Atlantic turned two unconventional double plays during the game. In one instance during the second inning, Lipsey threw from centerfield to third base to tag out a runner attempting to advance from second. Another double play occurred in the fifth when Ward caught a line drive at first base and doubled off a runner at second.
Looking ahead, Florida Atlantic will try to extend its winning streak when it hosts UMBC for a three-game series starting Friday night.
