Florida Atlantic baseball continued its dominant start to the season, using a stellar performance from its pitching staff to edge the Miami Hurricanes 2-1 on Tuesday night. The Owls (4-0) leaned on six pitchers to hold Miami to just four hits, securing their fourth consecutive victory to open the season.
The Hurricanes struck first in the opening inning, capitalizing on an FAU error, an infield single, and two hit batters to plate an unearned run. However, FAU starting pitcher Zach Kilby quickly settled in. After allowing the early run, Kilby recorded two strikeouts to escape further damage. He finished his outing with four innings pitched, allowing just one hit and one unearned run.
From there, the FAU bullpen took over. Steven Andrews worked the fifth and sixth innings, striking out one. Max Martzolf delivered a clean seventh inning and was credited with the win. MJ Bollinger struck out two in the eighth, including Miami’s power-hitting sophomore Daniel Cuvet, to strand a runner. The trio of Kide Adetuyi and Braden Ostrander closed it out in the ninth, with Ostrander earning the save.
FAU’s offense had multiple opportunities early, putting runners on base in the second, third, fourth, and sixth innings but failing to capitalize. However, in the seventh inning, the Owls finally broke through.
Jake Duer led off with a double, and after Nick Romano and Jake Millan drew walks to load the bases, Ayden Garcia worked another walk to force in the tying run. Later in the inning, Brando Leroux drew a bases-loaded walk to give FAU the go-ahead run.
With a 2-1 lead, FAU’s bullpen took care of the rest. Romano sealed the victory with a highlight-reel backhanded play at third base, firing across the diamond for the final out.
The Owls will look to keep their momentum going as they host UConn for a three-game series beginning Friday night at 6:30 p.m.
