Florida Atlantic baseball (7-1) hit the road for the first time this season and delivered a gutsy performance, securing a 4-3 victory over UCF (6-2) on Tuesday night. A combination of timely hitting and clutch pitching helped the Owls escape multiple jams late in the game to hold off the Knights.
FAU struck first in the third inning before Jake Millan extended the lead with a solo home run in the fourth, his team-leading third of the season. However, UCF responded swiftly in the bottom of the frame, plating three runs to take its first lead of the night.
The Owls refused to back down, staging a crucial two-out rally in the sixth. Carter Brady and Brando Leroux worked walks before Kyle Boylston delivered an opposite-field RBI single to tie the game. Moments later, Jake Duer beat out an infield hit to push across the go-ahead run, giving FAU a 4-3 lead.
FAU’s pitching staff faced pressure down the stretch but came up big when it mattered most. The Knights had four scoring opportunities in the final four innings, but the Owls’ bullpen stood tall.
In the eighth, UCF put two runners on with no outs, but MJ Bollinger entered and worked out of trouble with two strikeouts and a flyout. The ninth inning brought more drama as UCF advanced the leadoff batter to third base. Bollinger remained composed, inducing three groundouts to secure his second save of the season.
FAU Player Performances
• Jake Millan: 1-for-4, solo home run (3rd of the season)
• Jake Duer: 2-for-4, game-winning RBI, NCAA-leading 19th hit of the season
• Zach Kilby: Strong start, three scoreless innings
• Max Martzolf: 1.1 scoreless innings, credited with his third win of the year
• MJ Bollinger: Clutch performance, two innings for his second save
The Owls return to Boca Raton to host Fordham in a three-game series, starting Friday at 6:30 p.m. FAU looks to build on its impressive start as it continues its non-conference slate.
With another close win on the road, Florida Atlantic continues to show resilience early in the season. If their pitching staff keeps delivering in high-pressure moments, the Owls could be a force to watch moving forward.
