Pitching, Savvy Baserunning Lead Owls Past Bulls

Friday, April 26

Tampa, Fla.

6:30 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

21-18, 8-8

USF

21-20, 7-9

Florida Atlantic

South Florida

Photo by: JC Ridley

4/26/2024 9:48:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. – Florida Atlantic baseball held off a ninth inning charge from USF to take the series opener 3-2 on Friday night. The Owls will have a chance to win the series on Saturday at 2 p.m.

THE BEGINNING

Starting pitching from FAU's C.J. Williams and USF's Hunter Mink dominated the first half of Friday's matchup. The Owls had the only hit of the game – a first inning single off the bat of Andrew McKenna – until one out in the bottom of the fifth. The Bulls strung together back-to-back two out singles combined with an FAU error to lead 2-0.

The Owls responded in the next half-inning, also with two outs. Another single by McKenna was followed by a two-run homer from Christian Adams.

THE TURNING POINT

Florida Atlantic took its first and last lead of the night in the top of the eighth. Jalen DeBose manufactured a run almost completely on his own. The senior hit a high chopper single over the third baseman's head and then stole second. With one out, DeBose was on the move on a 2-2 pitch to McKenna. Despite a groundout to second base, he didn't stop at third. He kept running and crossed home standing up to make it a 3-2 game.

DeBo just put on a baserunning CLINIC! Hit, stolen base, second to home on a groundout! 😂

M8 | FAU 3, USF 2 pic.twitter.com/M0nEdHjs2Z
— Florida Atlantic Baseball (@FAUBaseball) April 27, 2024

THE FINISH

Danny Trehey struck out the side in the eighth inning. In the ninth, USF started with a bloop single and then a hit batter. With two outs, a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third. Trehey buckled down though and got a swinging strikeout to end the game and secure the series opener for the Owls.

QUOTABLE

Postgame with @FAUCoachMac #WinningInParadise pic.twitter.com/fPfByd97px
— Florida Atlantic Baseball (@FAUBaseball) April 27, 2024

THE BATS

The Owls finished with four hits, two of which came from McKenna.
Adams' home run was his seventh of the year to tie John Schroeder for the team lead.

THE ARMS

Williams received a no-decision after six innings with four hits and two runs (one earned) allowed. He struck out seven and walked one.
Sam Drumheller pitched a scoreless seventh inning to earn his first win of the season.
Trehey struck out four in two clean frames. He recorded his fourth save of the season.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Owls and Bulls will reconvene at 2 p.m. on Saturday for the middle game.

THE 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.