Owls Drop Middle Game to Notre Dame

Saturday, February 14

Boca Raton, Fla.

4 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

1-1

Notre Dame

1-1

Notre Dame

Florida Atlantic

Photo by: Jessica Marshall Vernof

2/14/2026 8:51:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic baseball dropped to 1-1 after a 14-1 defeat at the hands of Notre Dame on Saturday afternoon. The sides will meet for the rubber game on Sunday afternoon.

THE BEGINNING
The Owls loaded the bases in the bottom of the first inning despite not recording a hit. After three walks and a hit batter, ND freshman pitcher Caden Crowell eluded any damage, striking out Jayden Harriel to end the inning.

Notre Dame opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the second inning and then added four runs in the third to lead 5-0. The Owls made two errors in the frame in addition to a hit batter, a walk, and three ND hits. Three more hits led to three more runs in the fourth to essentially break the game open.

THE FINISH
The Owls recorded just two hits on the day, the first of which didn't come until the fourth inning when Michael Perazza went to the opposite field with a line drive. The Notre Dame left fielder nearly made a spectacular catch, but the ball ricocheted off his glove into the corner. Before anyone could chase it down, Perazza rounded third for an inside-the-park home run to make it 8-1.

Notre Dame scored two more runs in the sixth and four in the ninth to further salt the game away.

QUOTABLE
Head Coach John McCormack
"Credit to Notre Dame, they pitched exceptionally well. Their freshman pitcher… to regroup after that first inning and do what he did was impressive. We also gave them too many opportunities. We didn't throw enough strikes and didn't make enough plays to get out of innings."

THE BATS

In addition to Perazza's home run, a Brando Leroux single served as the Owls' other hit.
The Owls drew six walks and had two hit batters but left nine on base.

THE ARMS

Tyler Murphy was charged with the loss after allowing five runs in three innings.
Six pitchers followed out of the bullpen.
Dylan Oborne and Brody Juntunen each posted scoreless outings in their respective season debuts.

WHAT'S NEXT
The series finale is set for noon on Sunday. The Owls will continue the season-opening homestand with a visit from Missouri on Tuesday.