Nine Innings were not enough to decide the outcome of a heated contest between FAU and South Alabama. The Owls were leading 4-2 after five innings of play, however, the Jaguars were able to drive in two runs on a bases loaded double by infielder Nick Zaharion in the bottom of the seventh inning, tying the game at four.

Those would be the last runs scored until free baseball was granted in the form of extra innings. Jaguars pitcher Payton Gardner came on in relief during the fourth inning and was credited with the victory. Gardner gave up only one earned run on three hits and struck out three batters during his six innings in relief. Gardner was particularly effective in the top of the 10th inning, striking out FAU first baseman Mark Nelson and third baseman Ricky Santiago.

The Owls lost the game in the bottom of the 10th inning after pitcher Ahmed Garcia gave up a single to Jaguars right fielder Nolan Earley, followed by another single to the next batter, designated hitter Whitt Dorsey.

With two outs and the game on the line with a 1-2 count, Garcia gave up a single to Zaharion in the bottom of the 10th inning, giving the Jaguars a victory in extra innings. Zaharion would finish the game going 3 for 6 with 3 RBI, responsible for driving in three of the Jaguars five runs on the night.

The loss brings FAU’s Sun Belt Conference Tournament Record to 1-2, and despite owning the No. 1 seed in the tournament, the team can not qualify for the Sun Belt title game.