The Owls are leaving the Sun Belt with a bang.
Behind an offensive explosion, No. 4 seed FAU (39-20) pummeled No. 3 seed (and host team) Louisiana-Lafayette, 16-8, in Sunday’s lightning-delayed Sun Belt Conference Tournament Championship game.
This marks the first Sun Belt Tournament title in school history for the Owls, now winners of 11 straight, and the last Sun Belt contest before beginning Conference USA play next season.
“Congratulations to future C-USA member @FAUOwlAthletics on winning their conference baseball championship. Good luck in the NCAA’s!” Conference USA wrote on Twitter.
The victory, which secures an automatic bid into the NCAA Regional Tournament, can be attributed to an FAU offense that began its barrage early against Ragin’ Cajuns’ pitchers.
After taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning, the Owls erupted for a nine run, seven hit second inning, capped off by two-run homer by third baseman Ricky Santiago.
By the bottom of the fourth inning, FAU tacked on three more runs on five hits, jumping out to a 14-2 advantage over the shellshocked Ragin’ Cajuns.
The Owls would score its final two runs in the seventh, continually holding a double-digit lead throughout the afternoon.
A lightning delay in the bottom of the eighth caused a nearly two hour delay, but, when the game finally resumed, Owls relievers Alex Koji and Kevin Alexander held ULL in check.
Following the final out, FAU’s entire squad swarmed Alexander on the mound, celebrating with a jump-around dogpile.
Sophomore southpaw Austin Gomber recorded the win for FAU, pitching three innings, allowing two earned runs, and striking out five batters.
Gomber –– and the rest of the pitching staff –– was aided by each Owl totaling at least one of the team’s 16 hits.
FAU second baseman Brendon Sanger topped off an excellent tournament with two hits and three RBIs in five at-bats. After the game, he received the Most Outstanding Player trophy from Sun Belt Conference commissioner Karl Benson.
In four tourney tilts, Sanger went 9-for-17 from the plate, including one home run and six RBIs.
Owls designated hitter Tyler Rocklein also turned in a fine outing, going 2-for-4 with a double, four RBIs, and two runs scored. First baseman Mark Nelson was 3-for-5 (including his first career triple) with two RBIs.
FAU is the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament’s Chapel Hill region, and will play Towson on Friday, May 31 at 1 p.m.
