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Florida Atlantic lost on a Friday night in Conference USA play for the first time this season, falling 6-2 at Middle Tennessee in Murfreesboro.
The loss, combined with Louisiana Tech’s 10-6 defeat of Southern Miss, dropped FAU to third place in C-USA, 3 ½ games behind the first place Golden Eagles.
The game couldn’t have started better for the Owls. Tyler Frank led off the game with his 10th homer of the season, giving the Owls the early lead.
Middle Tennessee took control of the game in the fourth. Aaron Aucker’s two-run homer gave the Blue Raiders a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, part of a three-run inning.
Aucker did more damage with a two-run single in the inning that followed. FAU starter Vince Coletti retired the next batter he faced, then exited the game after 4 1/3 innings.
FAU pulled within three runs when an errant throw on the second half of a double-play attempt allowed Kevin Abraham to score, but would draw no closer.
GameBrowser: MTSU (25-23-1) 6, FAU (32-15-1, 15-8-1) 2
Moving Forward: FAU coach John McCormack has been searching for good pitching in middle relief. Nick Swan gave it to him on Friday, allowing only one run in 3 2/3 innings. Swan relieved Coletti in the fifth with one out and runners on second and third, slamming the door on the threat. …Cody Wilson notched the lone multi-hit game for the Owls, going 2-for-4 with a double.
Sliding Backward: Starter Vince Coletti allowed five runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings. …Designated hitter Jared DeSantolo went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. …Joe Montes went hitless from the second spot in the order.
Key Stat: 5 – hits on the night for FAU. The Owls also only drew two walks.
Up Next: FAU and MTSU play the middle game of their weekend series on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m., with Blake Sanderson getting the ball for the Owls.
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