BOCA RATON, Fla. (Interstat) — James Litman threw seven strong innings and the Florida Atlantic Owls defeated the Charlotte 49ers 3-1 on Friday night at FAU Baseball Stadium in an American Athletic Conference series opener.

The Owls improved to 20-21 overall and 6-5 in conference play, while Charlotte fell to 19-22 and 3-8. The game featured a pitchers’ duel through the first four innings before both offenses came alive in the middle frames.

Florida Atlantic starter James Litman worked seven innings, allowing one earned run on five hits with five strikeouts. He retired the side in order in the first and second innings and worked around a leadoff walk in the third. Charlotte starter Ryan Combs matched him early, throwing 4 2/3 scoreless innings without allowing a hit, striking out five batters before running into trouble in the fifth.

Charlotte scored the game’s first run in the top of the fifth inning. With one out, Jason Rivera walked and Johnny Sutryk doubled to left center, advancing Rivera to third. A fielder’s choice off the bat of Luke Nolan cut down Rivera at the plate on a play by the third baseman, but Sutryk moved to third. Todd Hudson then struck out swinging and Caden Gunderson flied out to left to end the threat, leaving the 49ers with only one run.

Florida Atlantic tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. John Martinez led off with a double to left center. After a groundout moved him to third, Brando Leroux singled to left field, scoring Martinez. Combs was replaced by AJ Camp after a strikeout, and Camp got the final out on a groundout.

The Owls took the lead in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Lucas Romano walked and, after a mound visit, Jax Perazza singled up the middle. Charlotte brought in Adam Stanton, who induced a foul out to right field that allowed Romano to advance to third. Brady Small then lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Romano to make it 2-1. Stanton got out of the inning with a fielder’s choice.

Charlotte tied the game in the top of the eighth inning. Hudson led off with a solo home run to right field, his first of the game, knotting the score at 2-2. Florida Atlantic then replaced Litman with Zach Kilby, who allowed a single to Gunderson but struck out the next three batters to keep the game tied.

The Owls regained the lead for good in the bottom of the eighth. With one out, Perazza singled to left center and Mike Collier singled to short. Sebastian Perez relieved Stanton and allowed a single to pinch-hitter Ryan Ward that loaded the bases. Martinez then hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Perazza and giving Florida Atlantic a 3-2 lead. Perez struck out the next batter to end the inning.

Kilby closed the game for the Owls, pitching the ninth inning. He allowed a leadoff single to Ben Nedry but induced a fielder’s choice, a flyout and a foul out to seal the victory.

For Charlotte, Sutryk went 1 for 4 with a double and Hudson was 2 for 3 with a home run and an RBI. Florida Atlantic managed eight hits, with Perazza collecting two singles and scoring two runs. The Owls also executed two sacrifice flies.

The game featured a notable performance from Combs, who allowed only one earned run over 4 2/3 innings despite leaving early. Stanton took the loss after allowing one earned run in 2 1/3 innings of relief.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Florida Atlantic 4, Charlotte 1, while the Interstat ELO system gave Charlotte a 51.40 percent probability to win. The series continues Saturday and Sunday at FAU Baseball Stadium.