CHARLOTTE, N.C.  – Florida Atlantic baseball registered just three hits in a 4-2 defeat by Charlotte on Sunday afternoon. The Owls (28-15, 10-8) exit the weekend in fifth place in the American Athletic Conference while Charlotte (25-18, 11-7) occupies third place.
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Charlotte loaded the bases and scored two runs in the first inning. The Owls responded in the third with an RBI single from
Marshall Lipsey. The 49ers went ahead by three on a two-run home run in the ensuing half inning.
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John Martinez homered in the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 4-2, but that was as close as the Owls would get. Â The FAU bullpen did its part, working out of trouble in the seventh and eighth innings.
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In the ninth,
John Schroeder had a home run robbed by Charlotte right fielder Reid Haire. A walk to
Nick Romano put the tying run at the plate, but the game ended on a three-pitch strikeout.
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- Lipsey, Martinez, and Romano had the Owls' three hits.
- Martinez's home run was his second of the season.
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- Six Florida Atlantic relievers combined to hold Charlotte scoreless for the final five innings.
- James Litman was charged with his second loss of the season after three innings and four runs allowed on five hits.
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The Owls return home to conclude the season series with FIU on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on FAUSports.TV.Â