Owls Denied a Sweep in Finale with UConn

Sunday, February 23

Boca Raton, Fla.

12 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

6-1

UConn

1-5

UConn

Florida Atlantic

Photo by: JC Ridley

2/23/2025 5:42:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic baseball tasted defeat for the first time this season on Sunday. The Owls fell to 6-1 after a 5-3, 10-inning loss to UConn (1-5).

THE BEGINNING

After the teams combined for 42 runs in Saturday's matchup, both pitching staffs were able to right the ship on Sunday. Hits and runs were hard to come by in the early going. FAU freshman James Litman and Huskies' starter Tommy Ellisen kept the game scoreless until the fifth inning.

The Owls loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth and Jake Duer delivered a sacrifice fly to open the scoring. UConn tied the game in the seventh, though Steven Andrews was able to limit the damage with a double play and a groundout.

THE TURNING POINT

Marshall Lipsey put the Owls on top again in the seventh with a two-run homer. Again, though, UConn tied the game in the ensuing frame, this time with a two-run HR of their own.

THE FINISH

Extra innings were required, and UConn's Ryan Daniels tagged FAU's MJ Bollinger for another two-run homer. The Owls put a runner on in the bottom of the 10th but could not cash in.

THE BATS

Lipsey reached base four times with two walks and a hit by pitch in addition to his second home run in as many days
Duer singled twice and finished the three-game series 10-for-14 at the plate

THE ARMS

Litman was lifted with two outs in the fifth inning on a pitch count
He struck out two and walked one in his second consecutive scoreless outing
Braden Ostrander finished the fifth and worked a clean sixth inning
Andrews followed Carter Holjes out of the bullpen in the seventh
He recorded the first two outs of the eighth before giving way to Bollinger

QUOTABLE

Head coach John McCormack
"I think if you asked anybody prior to last weekend if you go 6-1… beat Miami and take two of three from UConn… everyone would've signed up for that. It's just that when you get to this point with a chance to sweep and don't do it. The guys fought. We just have to be able to close the door when we have a late lead like that."

WHAT'S NEXT

The Owls hit the road for the first time on Tuesday for a midweek matchup against UCF in Orlando. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.