Florida Atlantic baseball is just two weeks away as the Owls begin their 2026 season at home against Notre Dame. Just before the new season, FAU hosted media day, where players discussed changes, expectations, and preparations.
Last season, the Owls went 37-21, their best record since 2019, and 15-12 in the American Conference, placing fourth before losing 6-3 in the second round of the American Conference tournament to the No. 1 seed, UTSA.
FAU head coach John McCormack leads the charge as he heads into his 18th season as head coach and his 36th with the program. McCormack was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame on Jan. 13, 2026.
There is a ton of excitement and optimism surrounding the Owls as they open the year with 11 consecutive home games, giving fans a chance to see the new squad early in the season.
“We’re excited about it, and I’m excited for the fans. Early in the year, those games, especially Saturday games, are phenomenal. It’s phenomenal. The crowds, the kids running around, you know, the bourbon zone, everything is just right. I love it,” said Coach McCormack, detailing the excitement around the early-season schedule.
Some familiar faces are back, including senior outfielder Marshall Lipsey, who had 61 hits and 12 home runs and was named first-team all-conference. He will return for his final season with the Owls.
“This is the spot I wanted to be. Love the coaches, love the players, love the program. Everything about it is just where I want to be, especially for my senior year.” said Lipsey, defending his decision to stay with the Owls for his senior season.
Making a regional with this team would just be a great end of a career, especially as a senior, that would be awesome.”
There are newcomers to look out for as well. The Owls have six freshmen, all Florida natives.
Freshman infielder Jonathan Lopez looks to play ‘two-way’, pitching and hitting at the college level.
“He works really hard,” said coach McCormack, heavily intrigued with Lopez’s skillset.
“Coming into college baseball as a freshman is difficult enough, and he’s going to try to do both. He’s been really good.”
Freshman Garrett Grant is another two-way player for the Owls, though he may focus more on pitching once the season starts.
“Garrett Grant on the pitching side has been phenomenal; he had a really, really good fall. So far in the spring, things haven’t changed”, says McCormack, praising Grant’s consistency.
Freshman infielder Daniel Machado made an impact in fall training, but sustained an unknown injury that has kept him out of action in the spring. He should be back before the season starts.
“Danny Machado had a nice fall, and he’s been banged up a little bit, so we haven’t seen him this spring, but I was excited about his maturity and his ability to come every day and play at a high level”, said coach McCormack, praising Machado’s consistency.
Freshman pitcher Brody Juntuen was added to FAU’s roster late, yet his skill set has made an impact from the start.
“Brody Juntuen was a guy we saw late, and in a normal year, we would probably think about redshirting him, but he’s pushed and pushed, and we’re gonna have to pitch him,” said McCormack, further detailing what’s impressed him about these young players.
The Owls also made some staff changes, bringing in new pitching coach Hunter Cooley and hitting coach Joey Bellini. Cooley pitched five seasons for the Owls, and players are excited to play under a coach who has camaraderie within FAU’s system.
“Our new pitching coach Hunter Cooley is really preaching togetherness and being able to all be who we want to be and lean on each other to come together and put up zeros for this team. We’re really excited for what’s coming up in 17 days,” said senior pitcher Zach Kilby, who started six games for the Owls in 2025.
“Joey Belini, our new hitting coach, is a Florida guy. He grew up in the Orlando area, finished college, and had been coaching at Xavier. He is a silent assassin. He doesn’t speak a whole bunch, but when he does, the guys really listen. I was very impressed with him,” said McCormack, praising Belini’s work on the staff.
The players implored fans to support FAU baseball, describing FAU Stadium as an environment like no other.
“We want to see you guys out there. I mean, the fans, you guys are awesome. You guys make it easier for us to win, and it makes it easier to play when you guys are there cheering us on, so come on out [to the ballpark],” said senior infielder and boca-native Nick Romano, who started 48 games in 2025.
You can catch FAU baseball’s season opener at home at the FAU Baseball Stadium on Friday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. against Notre Dame, streaming live on FAUSports.com.
Mikai Datilus is the Sports Editor for the University Press. Email him at [email protected] or DM him on Instagram @mikaidat for more information on this and other stories.
