Owls Fall on a Walk-Off in Season Opener

Friday, February 16

Nashville, Tenn.

2 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

0-1

Vanderbilt

1-0

Florida Atlantic

Vanderbilt

2/16/2024 7:27:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Florida Atlantic baseball was one out away from upsetting No. 6 Vanderbilt on Friday afternoon before a walk-off bloop single gave the Commodores a dramatic 12-11 win.

THE BEGINNING

The reigning SEC Tournament champion Commodores delivered an early right hook with a solo home run on the first pitch of the bottom of the first inning. They would add two more in the frame and another three in the second.

Despite not recording a hit, the Owls threatened in both the first and third with two runners on each time. They finally cracked VU starter Greysen Carter in the fourth. John Schroeder doubled and David Alvarez and Daulton Frank drew walks to load the bases for Emilio Gonzalez. The freshman delivered his first collegiate hit – a bases-clearing double to the right field gap to make it 6-3. Jalen DeBose drove in Gonzalez with a single to make it a two-run game.

THE TURNING POINT

Vanderbilt led 8-4 entering the seventh when the Owls exploded for five runs to their first lead. Brando Leroux scored two with a single, Schroeder doubled to bring in one, and Frank made it 9-8 with another double into the left field corner.

After VU responded with a run in the bottom of the seventh, Leroux came up with another big hit in the eighth. The Canadian connected for the Owls' first home run of the season into the left field bleachers.

BRANDO BOMB 💣!!! 2-run blast and we lead AGAIN!

M8 | FAU 11, No. 6 Vandy 9 pic.twitter.com/PKAfLUM2p0
— Florida Atlantic Baseball (@FAUBaseball) February 16, 2024

THE FINISH

Braden Ostrander worked out of trouble in the eighth and struck out the first batter in the ninth. A single, wild pitch, and hit batter would ramp up the pressure though. Another strikeout put the victory within reach before VU's Jonathan Vastine found just enough outfield turf with a pop up to left field, bringing the tying and winning runs across.

QUOTABLE

Head coach John McCormack
"We played very resilient baseball. We were down early but we battled back a few times. But the last three outs are the toughest to get and we just couldn't put them away. There were some positives to take away both offensively and with the pitching but we have to be able to close the game out."

THE ARMS

C.J. Williams started and threw 66 pitches in three innings before being relieved after two batters in the fourth.
Danny Trehey struck out four in two scoreless frames.
Nicholas Del Prado conceded a solo home run to the first batter he faced before settling in with three strikeouts. Del Prado allowed an unearned run in the seventh.

THE BATS

Leroux and Schroeder led the offense, each finishing 2-for-5 and scoring two runs. Leroux had four RBI.
Spencer Rich singled, stole a base, and scored twice as well.
The FAU offense finished with the same number of hits and walks (9).

WHAT'S NEXT

The Owls and Commodores will go again in the second game of the series on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. EST.

TICKETS

To purchase FAU tickets, call 1-866-FAU-OWLS or click HERE. Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com, or through the baseball's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUBaseball.

Florida Atlantic Giving Day is Thursday, Sept. 18

Wednesday, September 17

Mac's Musings - Episode #129

Wednesday, August 13

Baseball Announces Staff Changes for 2026 Season

Monday, August 04

Millan Signs Professional Contract

Monday, August 04

Next Event

Vanderbilt

W, 5-4

Feb 17 (Sat)

3 p.m.

Box Score Recap ESPN+/SEC Network+Live stats History

Full Schedule

Team Stats

Pitching:

W: JD Thompson (1-0)

L: Ostrander, Braden (0-1)

Florida Atlantic

Batting:

2B: Schroeder, John 2 ; Frank, Daulton 1 ; Gonzalez, Emilio 1

HR: Leroux, Brando 1

RBI: Leroux, Brando 4 ; Schroeder, John 1 ; Frank, Daulton 2 ; Gonzalez, Emilio 3 ; DeBose, Jalen 1

SH: Rich, Spencer 1

Base Running:

RUNS: Rich, Spencer 2 ; Adams, Christian 1 ; La Rocca, Mike 1 ; Leroux, Brando 2 ; Schroeder, John 2 ; Alvarez, David 1 ; Frank, Daulton 1 ; Gonzalez, Emilio 1