Beard Strikes Out 12 to Lead Owls Past Rams

Friday, February 28

Boca Raton, Fla.

6:30 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

8-1

Fordham

2-7

Fordham

Florida Atlantic

Photo by: Jaden Wiston

2/28/2025 10:40:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic baseball took the series opener 5-2 over Fordham on Friday night. The Owls improved to 8-1 on the season.

THE BEGINNING

Fordham scored an unearned run in the top of the first before the Owls quickly responded in the home half. Ayden Garcia lined a single up the middle to score Marshall Lipsey. A Fordham error in the second inning led to another run.

THE TURNING POINT

FAU starter Trey Beard allowed a double in the first inning but held the Rams without another hit until the fifth. The sophomore started to tire in the sixth but worked out of trouble to preserve a 3-1 lead. He would complete his night with 12 Ks in six innings, two hits, and one unearned run allowed.

Fordham loaded the bases against the Owls' bullpen with one out in the eighth. After cutting the deficit to 3-2, the Rams tried to tag home a runner from third on a fly out to center. FAU centerfielder Marshall Lipsey delivered a perfect throw to the plate and cut the runner down easily to end the inning and keep the one-run lead.

THE FINISH

Nick Romano launched a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to pad the Owls' lead. MJ Bollinger pitched a clean ninth inning to secure the victory.

THE BATS

Garcia finished 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI singles
Patrick Ward doubled, singled, and scored a run
Romano's home run was his second of the season
Jake Duer recorded his 20th hit of the season and extended his hitting streak to eight games
Lipsey singled, stole two bases, and scored two runs

THE ARMS

Beard improved to 2-0 -- the sophomore set a new career-high with 12 strikeouts
Steven Andrews was first out of the bullpen and allowed one run on two hits – he struck out three
Bollinger recorded his third save of the season

QUOTABLE