Owls Knock Off No. 17 Miami in 11 Innings

Florida Atlantic baseball earned its fourth ranked win of the season with a 7-6, 11-inning triumph over No. 17 Miami on Wednesday night at home. The Owls have taken two of three from the Hurricanes this season and will have a chance to secure the season series in Coral Gables next Tuesday.

Miami tagged FAU starter Danny Trehey for a two-run home run in the opening inning, but Nolan Schanuel responded with a solo shot of his own in the bottom of the first frame. The Owls took a 3-2 lead in the third on a two-run blast by Dylan Goldstein.

The Canes scored three in the top of fourth on a solo HR, two singles, and a triple. They led 5-3 all the way into the eighth inning when the Owls cut it to a one-run game.

Jalen DeBose led off the bottom of the ninth against UM’s flamethrowing closer Andrew Walters. DeBose zeroed in on a 1-0 fastball and launched it into the palm trees in left field to tie the game. It was his first home run of the season.

After both teams were turned away in the 10th inning, Miami loaded the bases on three walks (one intentional) in the 11th. They would take the lead when C.J. Kayfus darted home from third on a wild pitch that trickled just a few feet away from the plate. Catcher Caleb Pendleton dove back toward the plate, but Kayfus narrowly beat the tag.

FAU put the leadoff man on in the bottom of the inning when Armando Albert forced a wild throw from UM shortstop Dominic Pitelli. Jackson Ross singled to center, moving Albert to third. Miami opted to intentionally walk Schanuel with no outs even though it meant putting the winning run in scoring position.

After a pitching change, Dylan Goldstein worked a bases loaded walk to tie the game. John Schroeder then followed suit, laying off a 3-2 pitch in the dirt to bring the winning run in from third.

The Owls head to Bowling Green, Ky. to face WKU in C-USA action on Friday night.