Florida Atlantic University’s baseball team secured a 5-3 win over Florida International University in an 11-inning game on Saturday night in Miami. With this victory, the Owls have clinched the weekend series and will aim for a sweep in their next matchup.
FIU started the game with an early lead in the first inning. FAU’s senior pitcher Tyler Murphy managed to prevent further scoring by getting out of a bases-loaded situation. The Owls tied the score in the third inning when Nick Romano delivered an RBI single.
The Panthers regained the lead with a solo home run in the fifth inning, making it 2-1. In the sixth, Brett Patten singled and stole second base before advancing to third on John Martinez’s hit. Patten scored on Ian Collier’s sacrifice fly, and Marshall Lipsey followed with an RBI single that gave FAU its first lead of the night. FIU evened things up at 3-3 in the eighth after a triple and a sacrifice fly.
In the ninth inning, FAU had runners on first and second but could not capitalize. FIU loaded the bases with one out during their half of the ninth but was held scoreless as reliever Kyzer Smith struck out two consecutive batters to send the game into extra innings.
Neither team scored in the tenth. In the eleventh, Lipsey sparked FAU’s rally with his fourth hit of the game. Patrick Ward walked, Romano was hit by a pitch, and Brando Leroux reached on an error by FIU’s catcher that allowed Lipsey to score. Another run crossed home plate later in the inning due to a wild pitch.
FIU threatened again with two runners on base and two outs in their half of the eleventh, but Bryan Boully ended their hopes with a strikeout for his third save of the season.
Head Coach John McCormack commented after the game: “Postgame with @FAUCoachMac#WIPpic.twitter.com/f6e7MRDUwO”.
Lipsey matched his career high with four hits, also scoring twice, stealing a base, and recording one RBI. Ward contributed with both a double and single plus a walk; Romano added two singles as well. Jayden Harriel notched his first collegiate hit during this contest.
On pitching duties, Murphy threw four innings allowing two runs while striking out four before handing off to Zach Kilby who also struck out four across four innings while giving up one run. Smith picked up his second win of the season by throwing 2.2 scoreless frames including three strikeouts; Boully faced just one batter for his save.
The Owls will seek their second straight weekend sweep when they play again Sunday at noon at FAU Baseball Stadium.
