After being in first place by themselves for much of the season, the Owls now have company atop the conference standings.
The Owls lost 4-1 to University of Arkansas Little Rock (UALR) on the road and are now tied with Arkansas State atop the conference standings. FAU and Arkansas State both have 16-7 records in Sun Belt play. FAU had just five hits total and did not score its first run until the eighth inning.
Ryan Garton, the Owls winningest pitcher this season (8-4), gave up four runs and four hits in 4.2 innings. FAU relief pitcher Bo Logan retired all 10 batters he faced, as UALR was shut out after a three-run fifth inning, but there was not enough offense to mount a comeback.
Down 4-0 in the eighth inning, FAU tried to ignite a rally but could only muster up one run on a Mitch Morales one-out single up the middle. Second baseman Mike Albaladejo and left fielder Nathan Pittman struck out on subsequent at-bats to end the inning.
Designated hitter Alex Hudak was the lone FAU batter with multiple hits, as he went 2 for 4. Shortstop Morales was 1 for 4 with an RBI.
FAU plays the second game of the road stand against UALR on Saturday, May 12, at 5:00 p.m.