BECKLEY, W.Va. – An error in the top of the 11th inning was what No. 16 Florida Atlantic needed to post three runs and defeat the Herd 6-3 in extra innings Friday night.
The Owls plated three unearned runs with two outs in the 11th inning to run their record to 10-3 in Conference USA play and 24-7 overall. It appeared for a moment the Herd was going to get out of the inning. With a runner at third and two outs, FAU designated hitter Jose Bonilla Traverso hit a chopper to second base but the Herd’s D.J. Gee mishandled the grounder allowing the runner from third to score.
Almost on cue, FAU followed the error with back-to-back singles, plating two more runs and taking a 6-3 lead.
Marshall had the early lead against the Owls plating runs in the first, third and fifth innings. Marshall got on the board with a squeeze bunt by Aaron Bossi in the first inning. In the third, Gee doubled and eventually came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Bossi. Later, an RBI single by Gee scored Leo Valenti to give Marshall a 3-0.
Meanwhile, on the mound starting pitcher Chase Boster was unhittable, facing the minimum through the first five innings. However, the Owls tied the game with a run in the sixth inning and tacked on two more in the seventh inning.
The Herd will try to bounce back Saturday. Junior left-hander Parker Danciu takes hill for Marshall.
First pitch is set for 4 p.m.