Owls Sweep Doubleheader to Open Conference Play

Saturday, March 23

Boca Raton, Fla.

2 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

13-7, 0

Charlotte

10-13, 0

Charlotte

Florida Atlantic

Photo by: JC Ridley

3/23/2024 11:28:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic baseball took both legs of a doubleheader against Charlotte on Saturday to start a new era in the American Athletic Conference with a 2-0 league record.

DOUBLEHEADER GAME ONE

The Owls and 49ers went back and forth in the first game on Saturday. Each time Charlotte grabbed the lead, Florida Atlantic answered with a run in the ensuing half inning. Run-scoring hits by Patrick Ward and Brando Leroux tied the game in third and fifth innings, respectively.

Down 3-2 in the seventh, Jake Millan connected for a game-tying solo homer. In the eighth, it was Ward who came through again. This time, the sophomore's first home run of the season made it 4-3. Danny Trehey retired the 49ers in order in the 9th to lock down the save.

DOUBLEHEADER GAME TWO

There were more dramatics in the nightcap. The Owls scored two in the second on a fielding error and then made it 3-0 in the third when David Alvarez delivered an RBI single.
Charlotte grabbed its first lead with four runs in the fourth and held the advantage until the seventh. Two walks, a wild pitch, and a groundout scored Millan to tie the game 4-4.

A unique set of circumstances gave the Owls the lead back in the eighth. Spencer Rich slapped a single to right field to start the inning. He then stole both second and third base before an out was recorded. Later in the frame, with the bases loaded and two outs, Rich attempted to steal home. He was originally called out but after a challenge and a lengthy replay review, it was deemed that CLT catcher Kaden Hopson committed obstruction by blocking home plate. The run was allowed to count, and FAU took a 6-5 lead into the ninth.

That lead didn't last long however. Charlotte tied the game on a one-out solo home run in the top of the ninth. The game would proceed to extra innings and the Owls loaded the bases with one out in the 10th. Andrew McKenna battled to draw a walk to bring in the game-winning run.

QUOTABLE

Postgame with @FAUCoachMac after a doubleheader sweep! #WinningInParadise pic.twitter.com/WrHsFSZNmZ
— Florida Atlantic Baseball (@FAUBaseball) March 24, 2024

THE ARMS

C.J. Williams started game one and lasted 5.1 innings, picking up a no-decision.
Steven Andrews was credited with the win. He allowed one run on two hits in 2.2 innings.
Trehey pitched in both legs of the doubleheader. After earning the save in game one, he was touched up for a solo homer in game two.
Tyler Murphy allowed two earned runs on three hits in the game two start. He made it through a career high six innings.
Sam Drumheller contributed two scoreless frames.
After Trehey, Max Martzolf recorded the last two outs of the ninth plus the 10th. He struck out three to earn the win.

THE BATS

Millan scored three of the Owls' four runs in game one. He would add another in game two.
The Owls came out on top despite just five hits and one walk drawn.
McKenna, Alvarez, and Emilio Gonzalez each recorded an RBI in the nightcap.
Leroux and Christian Adams had back-to-back hits to start the 10th. Leroux scored the winning run.
The Owls drew 13 walks in the second game, 12 of which came from the top five in the batting order.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Owls will go for the series sweep at noon on Sunday.

TICKETS

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