Owls Begin 2024 Season at No. 6 Vanderbilt

Friday, February 16

Nashville, Tenn.

2 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

Vanderbilt

2/14/2024 3:00:00 PM | Baseball

Florida Atlantic at No. 6 Vanderbilt \| Hawkins Field \| Nashville, Tenn.
Series Details	Nashville, Tenn. \| Friday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. (moved up from originally scheduled 5:30 p.m.) \| Saturday, Feb. 17 at 3 p.m. \| Sunday, Feb. 18 at 3 p.m.
Game Coverage	Live Stats HERE; Watch (ESPN+) HERE
Friday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m.	FAU -- C.J. Williams (RHP) vs. Greysen Carter (RHP)
Saturday, Feb. 17 at 3 p.m.	FAU – Trey Beard (LHP) vs.Bryce Cunningham (RHP)
Sunday, Feb. 18 at 3 p.m.	FAU -- Tyler Murphy (RHP) vs. Devin Futrell (RHP)
FAU Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule \| Stats
VU Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule \| Stats

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – For just the third time in 11 years, Florida Atlantic baseball begins its season on the road on Friday night. The Owls will travel to Nashville for a three-game series with No. 6 Vanderbilt.

OWLS IN REVIEW

The Owls are coming off a 34-25 season in their final campaign as a member of Conference USA. This year's squad, however, will have a very different look to it. Nearly half of the roster is newcomers. Of the returning position players, only John Schroeder played a full season in 2023. With the departure of lineup mainstays Nolan Schanuel, Dylan Goldstein, Jackson Ross, and Armando Albert, head coach John McCormack will need to replace his top four spots in the batting order.

Offensively, the Owls will be counting on Schroeder, Spencer Rich, and Christian Adams to pick up where they left off last May. Rich finished on a tear, earning himself a spot on the C-USA All-Tournament Team. Newcomers Brando Leroux (shortstop) and Mike La Rocca (first base) will also play key roles. Third base remains an open competition with Daulton Frank and Patrick Ward leading the group.

The Owls will give C.J. Williams the start on the mound on Friday. As a junior transfer in 2023, the Deerfield Beach, Fla. native did everything asked of him. He began the year as a late inning/closer option, transitioned to a multi-inning reliever, and finished the year as the Owls' Friday night starter. Freshman Trey Beard has earned the Saturday start after an impressive preseason. Tyler Murphy will make the start on Sunday, likely on a pitch count. As a freshman last season, Murphy was effective in four spot starts but mostly contributed in long relief.

THE OPPONENT

Vanderbilt is ranked No. 6 in the D1Baseball.com Preseason Poll but is still behind Florida (No. 2) in the SEC East Division Preseason Poll. The Commodores went 42-20 last season, winning the SEC Postseason Tournament before falling in the Nashville Regional.

Led by 22nd year head coach Tim Corbin, VU returns three of its four leading hitters from last season (Chris Maldonado, Jonathan Vastine, and Matthew Polk). The Commodores have a young roster featuring 17 freshmen and just five seniors. On the mound, Vanderbilt will send out rightys Greysen Carter (2-1, 4.08 ERA in 2023), Bryce Cunningham (2-3, 6.43 ERA), and Devin Futrell (8-3, 3.44 ERA).

OPPONENT HISTORY

The Owls and Commodores have never met. The last two times Florida Atlantic baseball opened its season on the road against an SEC opponent, they swept the weekend series (2013 at Alabama, 2016 at Mississippi State).

FOLLOW ALONG

All three games can be watched on ESPN+ and SEC Network +. Live stats can be followed on Stat Broadcast.

UPCOMING

The Owls' will return home to start an eight-game home stand next Friday, February 23, against Towson. Single game and season tickets are still available.

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