Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics
WICHITA, Kan. — Florida Atlantic broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the seventh and added an insurance run in the eighth for a 4-2 win over Wichita State on Friday night at Eck Stadium.
The Shockers (19-16, 5-5) had just tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the sixth, getting an RBI double from Dayvin Johnson and a run-scoring grounder from Jaden Gustafson to knot the score at 2-2. But the Owls (19-12, 6-4) answered back immediately when Andrew McKenna doubled, moved to third on a bunt single and scored on a sacrifice fly from Spencer Rich that gave Florida Atlantic a 3-2 edge.
John Schroeder, who connected for a two-run homer in the fourth to open the scoring, provided an extra run of cushion with a solo shot to open the eighth.
That proved to be the final margin as FAU got excellent relief work from Steven Andrews (3-0) and Danny Trehey. Andrews allowed just one hit over 2.2 scoreless innings and Trehey fired a 1-2-3 ninth with two strikeouts to secure his third save. Starter C.J. Williams settled for a no-decision, logging 5.1 innings while allowing seven hits and two runs.
Caden Favors (5-3) pitched well in a losing effort for Wichita State, allowing four runs on eight hits over seven innings. The southpaw struck out nine and walked just one. Hunter Holmes and Mason Munz each flipped an inning of hitless, scoreless relief out of the Shocker bullpen.
Derek Williams led the Shockers with three hits, while Lane Haworth went 2-for-4 out of the leadoff spot for WSU. The Shockers and Owls continue the series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch from Eck Stadium is scheduled for 2:00 pm.