Another run in favor of the Knights as FAU tries to get past their early struggles.

End 4th: FAU 1, UCF 9

Owls finally hold the Knights scoreless, but see themselves with no runs in the 5th.

End 5th: FAU 1, UCF 9

     

Steven Andrews with one of his two strikeouts before Max Martzolf took his place on the mound.

Top 7th: #FAU 1 #UCF 11 | Owls are still trying to find a way to cut into the Knights' lead, as RHP Steven Andrews closes the top of the 6th with his 2nd strikeout. pic.twitter.com/jdB7VeabVY

— FAU Owls Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 28, 2024

The good news is we were winning after the first inning. Down hill from there.

4 runs in the 9th from FAU! Deficit down to 5.

Bot 9th: FAU 6, UCF 11

Not our "Knight"…

#FAU sees their 3-game win streak vs #UCF come to an end with a loss to the Knights. @Jake_Millan_13 1-4 2RBI 💣 & @DylanLaPointe5 1-2 RBI 💣. RP @Max_Martzolf 2IP 0ER 4H 1K. @FAUBaseball (4-3) will next face #UNF Wed at 6:30 PM. #GoOwls 🦉⚾️ pic.twitter.com/XVFTCkTYO0

— FAU Owls Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 28, 2024

Postgame featuring Coach Mac.

🎥 @FAUCoachMac reflects on @FAUBaseball's loss to #UCF, giving credit to the home runs from LaPointe and Millan while pointing out some silver linings to take away from the game. #FAU pic.twitter.com/JDV5vUald4

— FAU Owls Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 28, 2024

Owls look for payback in series finale against UCF


What: FAU (12-6) vs RV UCF (12-5, 2-4 Big 12)

When: March 19th @ 6:00 PM

Where: John Euliano Park        

Video: ESPN+

UCF Team Site: Here

Series: Knights lead 48-41 all-time against the Owls. UCF has a 1-0 lead this season.

Projected Starting Pitchers:

FAU - LHP Zach Abbey (0-0, 5.40 ERA)
UCF - RHP Wiley Hartley (1-1, 3.48 ERA)


Owl Notables

The weekend appears to be FAU's bread and butter, especially on Fridays and Sundays.

Over the last four weekends, the Owls have outscored teams 33-4 on Fridays and 70-10 on Sundays, having excellent pitching performances from CJ Williams and Tyler Murphy to limit the runs scored by opposing batters. The balanced batting unit, having five players with a .300 average or better, has granted the team the ability to count on certain players to contribute each game.

Rolling with five straight wins, including a solid victory over Miami last Tuesday, FAU looks to keep that momentum going in their attempt to avenge their loss to UCF at home last month.

Anticipate Zach Abbey to be composed on the mound if the Owls triumph against the Knights. Abbey has two games of pitching for three innings, striking out three batters while only giving up seven hits and five runs against North Florida and Miami.

The Owls are still managing through injuries for the time being. Center fielder Spencer Rich and infielder Daulton Frank currently hold day-to-day statuses, while first baseman Mike La Rocca remains out.

After this game, FAU returns home to Boca Raton to host their inaugural three-game set of contests in AAC Play against Charlotte starting March 22nd.


Knight Notables

UCF keeps showing why they are getting national recognition, despite a slow start in league play in the Big 12.

After starting the season 6-0, they have went 6-5 since which includes getting swept in three games by Oklahoma. They did bounce back with a cruising win over Stetson then proceeding to take two out of three contests against Oklahoma State. They outscored the Cowboys 27-21 throughout the series.

With this series win, the Knights have continued receiving votes in USA Today's latest Coaches Poll.

None of UCF's batters are hitting over .400 like they were heading into their previous encounter with FAU, but they do have a trio of players capable of putting FAU's bullpen on their heels. Matt Prevesk has the most hits on the team with 26 for a .371 average, Jack Zyska has four home runs while boasting a team-high 13 walks, and Lex Boedicker is tied for the second-most doubles on the squad with five.

FAU does have some familiarity with the pitcher the Knights will start Tuesday night in Wiley Hartley. He struck out three batters and gave up a home run in two innings against the Owls last month. He is also coming off a strong performance against Stetson where he played for 5.2 innings and made a season-high six strikeouts while only giving up two hits, so FAU has to be persistent in their batting approach with Hartley on the mound.

UCF travels on the road next to play three games against Kansas starting March 22nd.

An RBI single from Patrick Ward puts the Owls on the board against the Knights.

Top 3rd: FAU 1, UCF 0