Owls Take Down No. 6 Vanderbilt to Even Series

Saturday, February 17

Nashville, Tenn.

3 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

1-1

Vanderbilt

1-1

Florida Atlantic

Vanderbilt

2/17/2024 7:16:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Florida Atlantic baseball held No. 6 Vanderbilt to three hits on Saturday in a 5-4 victory to even the weekend series. The Owls and Commodores will play the rubber game at 3 p.m. EST on Sunday.

THE BEGINNING

24 hours after falling in a walk-off on Friday, the Owls bounced quickly to score first on Saturday. Brando Leroux drove in his fifth run of the series with a single up the middle to score Christian Adams in the top of the first. Vanderbilt responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame and tacked on two more in the fourth.

THE TURNING POINT

After 3.2 solid innings from freshman Trey Beard, the Owls turned it over to the bullpen in the fourth. The trio of Justin Gay, Ben Gilbert, and Bryan Boully combined to allow just one hit in the final five frames.

While the bullpen kept it within the reach, the offense kicked back into gear in the sixth. A one-out double by John Schroeder sparked a rally. An RBI groundout by Daulton Frank, a double by Emilio Gonzalez, and a single by Carter Brady tied the game at 4-4.

THE FINISH

FAU regained the lead for good in the seventh on a bases loaded sacrifice fly by Andrew McKenna. Boully took it from there. He struck out the side in the bottom of the seventh, worked around a two-out walk in the eighth, and retired the Commodores in order in the ninth.

Brought the heat today 🔥@FAUBaseball got the job done today and upset No. 6 Vanderbilt, 5-4.#NCAABaseball x 🎥 SECN+
pic.twitter.com/ilahTMxm50
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) February 18, 2024

QUOTABLE

Postgame with @FAUCoachMac after a ranked win 🤌 #WinningInParadise pic.twitter.com/Halus82UUu
— Florida Atlantic Baseball (@FAUBaseball) February 17, 2024

THE ARMS

In his collegiate debut, Beard allowed four runs, only two of which were earned. He struck out three, walked four, and allowed two hits.
Justin Gay pitched out of trouble in the fourth and departed in the fifth after a strikeout and two walks.
Gay was relieved by Ben Gilbert who bridged the gap for an inning to Boully.
Boully pitched the last 3.2 innings, striking out six and allowing just one hit to earn the win.

THE BATS

Gonzalez and Schroeder led the offense with two hits each.
Eight out of nine in the Owls' lineup recorded at least one hit and as a team FAU outhit their opponent 10-3.

WHAT'S NEXT

The series finale is scheduled for 3 p.m. EST on Sunday afternoon. The Owls will return home to start a weekend series against Towson next Friday.

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.