MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — West Virginia scored twice in the ninth but stranded the tying run in a 6-5 loss to Florida Atlantic on Sunday at the Caravelle Resort Baseball at the Beach tournament.
The Mountaineers’ record fell to 4-6, while Florida Atlantic improved to 6-5.
Down 6-3 entering the ninth, WVU catcher Max Nogay led off with a double down the left-field line before singles by Bobby Boyd and Taylor Munden loaded the bases for Billy Fleming. Fleming hit into a double play, scoring Nogay from third, and Jacob Rice singled to score Munden.
A pop out by shortstop Michael Constantini ended the game.
WVU starter Dan Dierdorff (1-2) held FAU hitless through three innings with six strikeouts before running into trouble. Dierdorff allowed four runs on six hits in five innings.
A three-run sixth inning by FAU chased Dierdorff and put the Owls ahead 4-1. Mitch Morales’s two-run single off WVU reliever Paul Pascal was the big blow.
WVU clawed back on Boyd RBI fielder’s choice in the seventh and McBroom’s ground-rule double that scored Rice in the eighth.
The Owls extended their lead to 6-3 in the bottom half of the eighth after Levi Meyer hit into what looked to be a double play, but an error extended the inning, allowing FAU to score two runs.
Jeremy Strawn (2-0) went 5 1/3 innings for FAU, allowing one run on three hits with six strikeouts and one walk.
WVU will open its home season at Hawley on Tuesday at 3 p.m. against Eastern Kentucky.