Florida Atlantic University’s baseball team achieved an 11-5 win over Villanova on Saturday, securing a series victory and bringing their season record to 5-5. The game, held in Boca Raton, saw the Owls collect 15 hits for the second consecutive day.
Villanova opened the scoring with two runs in the top of the third inning. Florida Atlantic responded in the bottom half when Kyle Boylston and Marshall Lipsey were hit by pitches, setting up Nick Romano’s three-run home run to right field. Brando Leroux added an RBI single in the fifth inning to put FAU ahead 4-2.
Tyler Murphy started for FAU, pitching four innings and allowing two runs on four hits while striking out three batters. Zach Kilby entered in relief for his first appearance of the season, retiring Villanova in order in the fifth and delivering an immaculate inning—nine strikes on nine pitches—in the sixth. This was only the second immaculate inning for FAU pitchers over the last four years.
The Owls extended their lead with a seven-run sixth inning that included run-scoring hits from Ian Collier and Eli Small, as well as contributions from two more hit batters and a Villanova error.
Villanova scored twice in the eighth and once more in the ninth but was unable to close the gap further.
Five FAU players recorded multi-hit games. Michael Perazza and John Martinez each went 2-for-4 for their second straight game with multiple hits. Collier, Leroux, and Small also had two hits apiece. Romano’s home run marked his second of the season; he finished with four RBIs, bringing his total to eight this year. Freshman Jonathan Lopez notched his first collegiate hit with a pinch-hit double in the eighth.
Seven pitchers appeared for FAU during the game, including senior infielder Patrick Ward making his debut on the mound; he threw just one pitch to get out of a jam in seventh.
The Owls will attempt a sweep against Villanova at home on Sunday before traveling to Gainesville to face No. 10 Florida on Tuesday.
“Postgame with @FAUCoachMac#WIPpic.twitter.com/vuW9ZpAJNw,” said Head Coach John McCormack following Saturday’s contest.
