Owls Walk Off No. 12 ECU to Even Series

Saturday, April 6

Boca Raton, Fla.

4 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

18-10, 0

ECU

22-7, 0

East Carolina

Florida Atlantic

Photo by: JC Ridley

4/6/2024 8:53:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Spencer Rich delivered a walk off single in the bottom of the ninth to carry Florida Atlantic baseball (18-10, 5-3 AAC) to a 6-5 victory over No. 12 East Carolina (22-7, 5-3 AAC) on Saturday afternoon.

THE BEGINNING

For the second straight game, ECU scored in the first inning, but FAU starter Tyler Murphy was able to limit the damage to one run. The Owls would tie the game in the third when Spencer Rich dropped a bloop single to right field scoring Jalen DeBose all the way from first.

After the Pirates regained the lead in the top of the fourth, the home side took its first lead of the series in the bottom of the frame. First, an Emilio Gonzalez RBI groundout scored John Schroeder to tie it. Then, with Christian Adams on second, Dylan LaPointe lined an opposite field two-run homer to make it 4-2.

THE TURNING POINT

ECU tied the game in the sixth and then took a 5-4 lead in the eighth. Once again though, the lead didn't last long. Rich was highly involved again. This time he lined a double down the right field line to start the bottom of the eighth. Patrick Ward sacrificed him to third before Pirates' reliever Danny Beal picked up back-to-back strikeouts. With two outs and Adams at the plate, Beal's 1-2 pitch sailed over the catcher's head, back to the backstop, allowing Rich the tying run to score.

THE FINISH

Danny Trehey retired the Pirates in order in the top of the ninth setting the stage for the offense to win the game in the bottom of the frame.

Gonzalez and Andrew McKenna each drew one-out walks. After Brando Leroux lined out to right field, Jalen DeBose was hit by the first pitch he saw. The bases were loaded and, once again, Rich came to the plate in a big spot. Once again, he would come through. The senior lined a 2-1 pitch into center field to win the game 6-5.

OWLS WIN! SPENCER RICH WALKS IT OFF!!! #WinningInParadise pic.twitter.com/GVB1sjtHew
— Florida Atlantic Baseball (@FAUBaseball) April 6, 2024

QUOTABLE

Postgame with @FAUCoachMac and the walk off hero Spencer Rich! #WinningInParadise pic.twitter.com/maYxxXYTp5
— Florida Atlantic Baseball (@FAUBaseball) April 6, 2024

THE BATS

Rich finished 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored.
Adams, LaPointe, and DeBose had the Owls' remaining three hits.
LaPointe has five hits this season, three of which are home runs.

THE ARMS

Murphy battled through five innings. He struck out three and did not walk a batter. He allowed four runs, three of which were earned.
Steven Andrews bridged the gap from the sixth through the eighth. He recorded five strikeouts with four hits and one run allowed.
Trehey earned the win after holding the Pirates scoreless in the ninth. He struck out two of the three hitters he faced. His ERA sits at 0.78 for the season.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Owls will look to secure the series on Sunday at 12:05.

THE TICKETS

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