BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic baseball (15-15, 2-5 American) fell behind early on Thursday night and could not rally in a 7-2 defeat to UAB (20-10, 5-2 American) at the FAU Baseball Stadium.
THE BEGINNING
UAB used a two-run home run in the first inning and a two-out RBI single in the second to jump out to a 3-0 lead. The Owls cut into the deficit in the third with a run-scoring single up the middle from
TJ Gramesty.
THE TURNING POINT
The Blazers continued to give Owls' starter
James Litman trouble in the fourth inning. After a leadoff walk, another two-run homer made it 5-1.
The Owls chipped away with a run in the ensuing half-inning.
Kyle Boylston drew a walk, stole second, stole third, and scored on a groundout to make it 5-2. But that would be as close as the home side could get. UAB scored a run without a hit in the fifth and tacked on another insurance run in the ninth.
THE FINISH
Trailing 7-2 in the ninth, the Owls loaded the bases but left them full with a game-ending strikeout.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach John McCormack
"We dug ourselves a hole early, and we've had a few games in a row now of rough offensive outings. Their pitcher threw exceptionally. We had opportunities. We need to be able to push a few across and change the dynamic of the game."
THE BATS
- UAB out-hit the Owls 8-5.
- Eli Small had two of the five hits, both singles.
- Marshall Lipsey, Patrick Ward, and Gramesty accounted for the other three hits.
- Boylston finished with three stolen bases, tying the program single-game record for the second time this season.
THE ARMS
- Litman departed after four innings with five runs on five hits. He walked seven and struck out two.
- Kyzer Smith recorded all three outs in the fifth inning.
- Tyler Murphy pitched the final four innings, conceding one run on three hits.
WHAT'S NEXT
Game two is set for a 6:35 p.m. first pitch on Friday night.
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