Santiago Hits Walkoff as Owls Sweep Series vs. UConn

Sunday, February 15

Boca Raton, Fla.

12:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

3-0

UConn

0-3

UCONN

Florida Atlantic

2/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

Feb. 15, 2015

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Down by one in the ninth inning, the Florida Atlantic University baseball team put each of its first five batters on base, culminating in a bases-loaded, walk-off single by senior Ricky Santiago as the Owls beat UConn 5-4. FAU swept the season-opening series 3-0.

Reily Monkman picked up the win as he dealt two innings of relief. The senior struck out three and allowed one run on two hits in the top of the ninth.

The Owls fell behind in the third as UConn's Jack Sundberg walked on four pitches and picked his way around the bases to score on a groundout. On the next at-bat, Blake Davey sent a solo shot over the right field wall to increase the lead to 2-0. The Huskies tacked on another run in the fourth on a single, hit by pitch and an RBI single to center by Sundberg.

FAU stormed back in the seventh as Christian Dicks and CJ Chatham hit back-to-back singles with two outs. Ryan Miller and Stephen Kerr then drew back-to-back walks to put the Owls on the board. Junior Brett Lashley then laced a single to right to plate Miller and Chatham to tie the game at 3-3. Brendon Sanger walked to load the bases before Santiago struck out the end the inning.

Monkman struck out three of the first five batters he faced before giving up a double to Max McDowell in the ninth. The UConn catcher was driven in on a single by Bryan Daniello to put the Huskies back on top 4-3.

In the bottom of the inning, Miller led off with his first career hit, an infield single to third. Kerr walked to represent the winning run and Lashley laid down a sacrifice bunt but reached on a fielder's choice as Miller beat out the throw to third, loading the bases. Sanger drew another walk to plate Miller, tying the game at 4-4.

Santiago stepped to the plate and took two balls before missing on a big swing. The fourth pitch, however, was belted into left field, allowing Kerr to jog across the plate to win the game in FAU's second consecutive walk-off.

Miller went 1-for-2 with two runs and two walks while Lashley walked twice and was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with two RBI. Kerr, Sanger and Santiago each recorded RBI as well.

The Owls host Miami, ranked ninth in the nation by Baseball America, on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the FAU Baseball Stadium. For tickets, call 1-866-FAU-OWLS or visit FAUSports.com.