By: Tobey Schulman
FAU came to Clearwater looking to take a first round win over Tulane to start a possible run to a conference championship. However, the Green Wave dominated the Owls the entire game, defeating them 14-2 by run-rule in seven innings. A disappointing loss for the Owls but they still have a chance to advance further into the tournament with a win over UTSA.Â
C.J. Williams looked to get off to a good start after his last few starts didn’t go his way early on. This start wouldn’t be any different for him as the Tulane bats got off to an early lead. A home run from Connor Rasmussen started off the rally for the Green Wave, and an RBI single and double would plate three runs for Tulane in the first.Â
This game would be all Tulane, as FAU wouldn’t plate a run until the fifth inning. Chandler Welch was absolutely dominant in his start, tallying ten strikeouts in five innings pitched. Welch only gave up three hits and two runs in his outing, giving Henry Shuffler the ball for the final two innings of the game. Shuffler struck out five and would give up no runs to cap off the win for the Green Wave.
The only spark from the Owls’ offense would come from senior Jalen DeBose. An RBI double from DeBose erased the shutout, and after stealing third, a wild throw would allow DeBose to score the second and final run for the Owls.Â
Tulane would go on to score 11 more runs across the rest of the game, advancing into the winners bracket against Charlotte. FAU will now face elimination from the conference tournament in the losers bracket against UTSA. The Owls will have their hands full with the second best team in the conference, but in a win-or-go-home situation, they’ll need to leave it all on the field if they want a shot at continuing their season.Â
