By: Tobey Schulman
NCAA Baseball Recap: FAU 6 – UAB 5
FAU entered their series finale against UAB looking to avoid getting swept at their own field. After being shutout in game two and losing by the run-rule in the previous two games, the Owls looked to get their bats going again and salvage a game three win. After recovering from an early deficit, the Owls would do the same again in the ninth to win off of a thrilling walk-off single from Carter Brady. A huge win for the Owls to snap their four game losing streak at home.
The Blazers once again got off to an early lead in the first with a two-run home run from Logan Braunschweig. The Owls wouldn’t respond until the bottom half of the fourth, where Carter Brady and Emilio Gonzalez both hit RBI singles to tie the game at 2-2. A throwing error caused by a Joey Slattery bunt would cause Carter Brady to come around and score the go ahead run in the fourth.
The UAB offense would be kept off the board until the eighth inning. Trey Beard when the pitching staff needed him most came out and threw a career outing. He went five innings pitched, while striking out six and only giving up two hits, and settled in well to give up no runs after the first inning home run. Sam Drumheller’s scoreless frame in the ninth however would earn the win for FAU.
Up 3-2 in the seventh, John Schroeder came up to the plate and ripped an RBI double down the right field line to give the Owls a much needed insurance run. The Blazers however would have more fight in them. UAB would tally three runs in the eighth off of a pair of RBI singles and a fielder’s choice that gave them a 5-4 lead over the Owls heading into the final inning of the series.
After Drumheller’s scoreless frame in the top half of the ninth, FAU looked to walk it off in the bottom half. Jake Millan came up following a loud Jalen DeBose lineout and started off a late rally with a single. John Schroeder and Christian Adams both followed up the single with walks of their own and this loaded the bases for Carter Brady. Brady would single to score Jake Millan, and John Schroeder followed right behind him to win the final game of the series for the Owls.
After two disappointing losses it’s good to see the Owls bats come up in clutch moments like in this game. Another positive takeaway is the amazing start Trey Beard put together, as the pitching staff needed to rest as many arms as possible. The Owls sit 10-11 in AAC play and tied for fourth in the standings. The win today got them a game over .500 with a 23-22 record. The Owls will host Florida Gulf Coast for a double header coming up on Tuesday. First game scheduled for 2:00 PM EST.