Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Friday, May 8
Wichita, Kan.
7 p.m.
Florida Atlantic
26-23, 11-11
4
at
2
Wichita State
26-24, 10-12
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 0 |
| Wichita State | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 3 |
Owls Take Series Opener from Wichita State
5/8/2026 11:55:00 PM | Baseball
WICHITA, Kan. – Florida Atlantic baseball (26-23, 11-11) scored twice in the ninth inning to knock off Wichita State (26-24, 10-12) by a 4-2 final on Friday night. The Owls will have an opportunity to win their fifth consecutive weekend series on Saturday.
THE BEGINNING
The Shockers scored a run in each of the first two innings to lead 2-0 early. The Owls rallied to tie the game in the third. With runners on first and third and one out, Nick Romano hit a chopper to the shortstop. The throw home got away from the catcher, allowing Kyle Boylston to score. One batter later, Michael Perazza drove in Marshall Lipsey with an RBI groundout.
THE TURNING POINT
Wichita State had chances to retake the lead in both the fourth and fifth innings. In the fourth, FAU starter James Litman stranded a runner at second with a strikeout and a lineout. In the fifth, the Shockers had the bases loaded before Litman again escaped by way of another strikeout.
After missing an opportunity of their own with the bases loaded and no outs in the eighth, the Owls' seniors delivered in the clutch in the ninth inning. Brando Leroux singled with two outs, and Romano sent a double to the gap. Leroux came all the way around to score the go-ahead run from first base. Perazza then singled home Romano for an insurance tally.
THE FINISH
The Owls turned to Garrett Grant for the bottom of the ninth, and the freshman made quick work of the Shockers, retiring the side on just nine pitches.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach John McCormack
GAME NOTES
THE BATS
THE ARMS
WHAT'S NEXT
Game two is scheduled for a 2 p.m. ET first pitch on Saturday.
FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date on all things Florida Atlantic baseball, follow us on social media @faubaseball.
THE BEGINNING
The Shockers scored a run in each of the first two innings to lead 2-0 early. The Owls rallied to tie the game in the third. With runners on first and third and one out, Nick Romano hit a chopper to the shortstop. The throw home got away from the catcher, allowing Kyle Boylston to score. One batter later, Michael Perazza drove in Marshall Lipsey with an RBI groundout.
THE TURNING POINT
Wichita State had chances to retake the lead in both the fourth and fifth innings. In the fourth, FAU starter James Litman stranded a runner at second with a strikeout and a lineout. In the fifth, the Shockers had the bases loaded before Litman again escaped by way of another strikeout.
After missing an opportunity of their own with the bases loaded and no outs in the eighth, the Owls' seniors delivered in the clutch in the ninth inning. Brando Leroux singled with two outs, and Romano sent a double to the gap. Leroux came all the way around to score the go-ahead run from first base. Perazza then singled home Romano for an insurance tally.
Nicky Ro delivers in the 9th... Brando beats the relay! Owls lead! pic.twitter.com/qVM6a28AKl
— Florida Atlantic Baseball (@FAUBaseball) May 9, 2026
THE FINISH
The Owls turned to Garrett Grant for the bottom of the ninth, and the freshman made quick work of the Shockers, retiring the side on just nine pitches.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach John McCormack
Postgame with @FAUCoachMac after a 4-2 win in game 1,000 as head coach! #WIP🏝️ pic.twitter.com/zJNrZUZ1Nt
— Florida Atlantic Baseball (@FAUBaseball) May 9, 2026
GAME NOTES
- Friday's game was John McCormack's 1,000th as Head Coach of FAU Baseball.
THE BATS
- The Owls finished with eight hits, led by two apiece from Romano, Perazza, and Boylston.
- Romano upped his season total in RBI to 35, three behind team leader John Martinez.
THE ARMS
- Litman received a no-decision after another quality start.
- He went five innings, racking up six strikeouts against three walks.
- In his first appearance in two weeks, Zach Kilby delivered three shutout innings to earn the win.
- Grant earned his second consecutive save.
WHAT'S NEXT
Game two is scheduled for a 2 p.m. ET first pitch on Saturday.
FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date on all things Florida Atlantic baseball, follow us on social media @faubaseball.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kilby, Zach (2-1)
L: Pacha, Brady (3-2)
S: Grant, Garrett (2)
Batting:
2B: Romano, Nick 1
RBI: Perazza, Michael 2 ; Romano, Nick 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Boylston, Kyle 1 ; Leroux, Brando 1 ; Romano, Nick 1 ; Lipsey, Marshall 1
Batting:
2B: Gustafson, Jaden 1 ; Ganter, Nolan 1
HR: Duncan, Kaleb 1
RBI: Washburn, Owen 1 ; Duncan, Kaleb 1
SH: Rush, Owen 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Gustafson, Jaden 1 ; Duncan, Kaleb 1
HBP: Duncan, Kaleb 1
Players Mentioned
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