FAU did not begin strong in its three-game home set against Sun Belt Conference foe Troy, losing 8-3 to the Trojans on Friday night at FAU Stadium.

Owls sophomore pitcher Austin Gomber was rattled early in this contest, giving up Troy’s first two runs in the first two innings.

Playing a particularly hot-hitting opponent, Gomber was pulled after giving up five earned runs on eight hits in five innings of work.

The Trojans broke the game open with a four-run fifth inning, ending the southpaw’s night.

Going into this start, Gomber, whose record now stands at 4-3, was sporting a 2.44 ERA, good for second best in the Sun Belt Conference.

Despite a shaky outing, Gomber continues to show a good walk-to-strikeout ratio, walking just one batter while striking out five.

FAU’s bullpen got some extra work today, needing four relief pitchers to get through the remaining four innings. In all, Owls pitchers allowed 14 hits, including two home runs by Troy first baseman Trae Santos.

Meanwhile, FAU’s offense could muster just three runs, all of which came from designated hitter Tyler Rocklein’s home run blast in the ninth inning. Rocklein’s homer was his seventh of the season, which leads the team.

Only five FAU batters recorded hits against Trojans pitching.

With the loss, the Owls hold a 26-16 overall season record and 11-8 Sun Belt mark.

FAU plays Troy in game two of the series on Saturday, April 27. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.