Florida Atlantic University’s baseball team defeated the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) 10-9 in an extra-inning game on March 14 at FAU Baseball Stadium. John Martinez hit a walk-off, two-RBI single in the bottom of the 11th inning to secure the win for the Owls, who have now won six consecutive games.
The victory is significant as it continues Florida Atlantic’s winning streak and sets up an opportunity to clinch the series against UMBC. The next game is scheduled for Saturday at noon.
The game began with Michael Perazza driving in a run with a sacrifice fly in the first inning, followed by Jayden Harriel’s first career home run in the second. Both teams exchanged leads throughout the early innings. UMBC took a 6-4 lead after scoring runs in three consecutive innings. In the bottom of the ninth, Perazza tied the game with a home run on a two-strike count, sending it into extra innings.
After a scoreless tenth inning, UMBC regained the lead with a bases-loaded double from Derek Paris that brought in three runs. The Owls responded by loading the bases and drawing walks to close the gap before Martinez delivered his decisive hit. Perazza scored to tie, and Brando Leroux slid home for the winning run.
The Owls collected nine hits during the game, with Martinez, Perazza, Nick Romano, and Ian Collier each recording two hits. James Litman started on the mound for Florida Atlantic and pitched over five innings. Zach Kilby struck out four batters over nearly three innings of relief work. Bryan Boully was credited with the win after recording the final out in extra innings.
Game two of the series has been rescheduled to start at noon on Saturday due to potential weather concerns later in the day.
