BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back on the way to a 9-2 win on Thursday night at FAU Baseball Stadium.
The Shockers (12-25, 4-9) faced a sizeable deficit almost immediately when the Owls got an RBI single from Patrick Ward and a two-out grand slam off the bat of Nick Romano, staking FAU to a 5-0 lead against Wichita State starter Grant Adler (3-4).
Florida Atlantic lefty Trey Beard (7-0) kept the Owls comfortably in front with six solid innings, striking out seven while allowing five hits and one run. Wichita State got their lone run against Beard in the top of the third, using singles from Cole Dillon and Lane Haworth to set up a sacrifice fly from Camden Johnson that cut the deficit to 5-1.
The Owls (25-12, 7-6) extended their advantage with single runs in the third and fourth innings, highlighted by a solo homer from Ayden Garcia. Adler ultimately took the loss, allowing eight hits and seven runs with seven strikeouts over five innings.
Wichita State had a chance to get back in the game in the top of the seventh; Kam Durnin opened the frame with a triple and Dillon promptly singled him home, trimming the margin to 7-2. Haworth coaxed a walk to put runners at first and second with no outs, but the next three Shockers struck out to end the threat.
John Schroeder added the finishing touches with a two-run single in the bottom of the eighth for the final margin.
The Shockers and Owls continue the series on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 pm CT.