BOCA RATON (Interstat) — Florida Atlantic’s John Martinez delivered a three-run double in the third inning to erase an early deficit, and the Owls used a four-run sixth to pull away for a 9-4 victory over Charlotte on Saturday evening at FAU Baseball Stadium.

The American Athletic Conference game was the second of a three-game series between the Owls and the 49ers. Florida Atlantic improved to 21-21 overall while Charlotte dropped to 19-23.

Charlotte struck first in the top of the fifth inning after a scoreless first four frames. With one out, Stricklin walked and Koontz singled. Nedry followed with an RBI single to right-center, scoring Stricklin and moving Koontz to second. Aaron Orozco then stepped to the plate and launched a three-run homer to right field, suddenly giving the 49ers a 4-0 lead.

But the Owls had already built momentum from their bats earlier. In the bottom of the second, Florida Atlantic manufactured the game’s first run. Martinez singled up the middle, advanced on a passed ball and later scored on a sacrifice fly to right by Gramesty.

The bottom of the third proved pivotal for the Owls. With one out, Romano and Perazza singled. Small reached on a hit by pitch to load the bases. Martinez then doubled down the left-field line, clearing the bases and giving Florida Atlantic a 4-0 lead. The rally chased Charlotte starter Jaden Winter after just two-thirds of an inning. Chase Carson entered and allowed four hits over 4.2 innings, including the three-run double, but settled in temporarily.

After Charlotte tied the game in the fifth, Florida Atlantic seized control in the sixth. Patten singled and Leroux singled, putting runners at the corners. Gramesty dropped a sacrifice bunt that brought home Patten, putting the Owls ahead 5-4. Marshall Lipsey then doubled down the right-field line, scoring Leroux and Gramesty to make it 7-4.

The Owls added insurance in the seventh when Ian Collier homered to left field, his solo shot pushing the lead to 8-4. Florida Atlantic capped the scoring in the eighth when Romano lifted a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Leroux.

Charlotte’s offense cooled after the fifth-inning outburst. The 49ers managed only five hits in the game, with Orozco’s homer accounting for three of their four runs. Charlotte struck out 13 times.

Florida Atlantic’s bullpen was key after starter Kide Adetuyi lasted five innings, allowing four runs on three hits with seven strikeouts. Tyler Murphy entered in the seventh and retired all nine batters he faced over three perfect innings, striking out two. Murphy’s outing was especially sharp given his recent struggles. In his previous four appearances, he had allowed four earned runs over 5.2 innings, including a rough outing against Miami on April 22.

Carson Kimball threw a scoreless eighth for Florida Atlantic, allowing two hits but no runs.

For Charlotte, Orozco was the offensive standout, going 1 for 3 with a homer and three RBIs. Jaden Winter, Chase Carson, Munn, and Wesley Jones combined to allow 11 hits.

The win evened the series after Florida Atlantic took the opener 3-1 on Friday. The rubber match is set for Sunday.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Florida Atlantic 4, Charlotte 1, while Interstat’s ELO system gave Charlotte a 50.60 percent probability to win the game.