Owls Sweep FIU Behind Stellar Start from Grant

Sunday, March 8

Boca Raton, Fla.

12 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

9-6

FIU

7-10

FIU

Florida Atlantic

Photo by: JESSICA VERNOF

3/8/2026 5:14:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic baseball (9-6) completed a three-game sweep of FIU (7-10) on Sunday behind seven shutout innings from freshman Garrett Grant. The Owls have now won six of the last seven, heading into a double-midweek matchup with Presbyterian.

THE BEGINNING
Fresh off an 11-inning road victory on Saturday night, the Owls jumped out to a lead in the first inning on Sunday and never looked back. After a leadoff double by Marshall Lipsey, Michael Perazza cashed in the opening run with an RBI single up the middle.

THE TURNING POINT
On the other side, Grant was in control from the start. FIU had its best chance with two on and one out in the fourth before a 6-4-3 double play ended the threat. Grant would not allow another hit until there was one out in the seventh.

The Owls' offense gave the freshman more breathing room with a four-run fifth inning that started with six consecutive singles. Perazza, John Martinez, Brando Leroux, and Eli Small all contributed with run-scoring at-bats. The Owls sent nine men to the plate in the inning and came away with a 5-0 lead.

THE FINISH
The Owls led 7-0 when Grant departed after seven shutout innings. FIU chipped away with three runs in the eighth, but the faint comeback hopes stopped there. Reilly Witmer and Kide Adetuyi combined for a scoreless ninth to preserve the victory and complete the sweep.

HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTABLE
Head Coach John McCormack

Postgame with @FAUCoachMac #WIP🏝️ pic.twitter.com/VUl3GdNEaI
— Florida Atlantic Baseball (@FAUBaseball) March 8, 2026

THE BATS

The Owls finished with 15 hits, led by three each from Lipsey, Romano, Perazza, and Martinez.
Perazza and Martinez posted two RBI each.
Xavier Moronta also went 2-for-4 with an RBI single.
Lipsey finished the three-game series 9-for-15 at the plate with a home run, a double, and six runs scored.
14 of the Owls' 15 hits on Sunday were singles.

THE ARMS

Grant earned his first collegiate win in spectacular fashion. He struck out five and walked one. He allowed five hits.
The freshman has conceded two runs in his first 18.2 innings this season. His ERA stands at 0.96.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Owls continue non-conference play with a two-game midweek series against Presbyterian on Tuesday and Wednesday. First pitch on Tuesday at the FAU Baseball Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m.