BOCA RATON, Fla. (Interstat) — James Litman pitched seven innings of five-hit ball with five strikeouts to lead Florida Atlantic to a 3-1 victory over Charlotte on Friday night in American Athletic Conference play at FAU Baseball Stadium.

Litman allowed one earned run and earned the win as the Owls improved to 20-21 overall and 6-5 in league play. The 49ers dropped to 19-22 and 5-6.

Florida Atlantic took a 1-0 lead in the fifth on Brando Leroux’s RBI single. The Owls made it 2-0 in the sixth on a sacrifice fly. Charlotte’s Todd Hudson hit a solo home run in the eighth to cut the deficit to 2-1, but Florida Atlantic answered with a sacrifice fly by John Martinez in the bottom of the inning.

Zach Kilby earned a save with two scoreless innings of relief, allowing two hits and striking out two. Ryan Combs took the loss for Charlotte, tossing 4 2/3 hitless innings but allowing an earned run on two walks and a hit batter while striking out five.

Charlotte had seven hits and Florida Atlantic eight. The series continues Saturday.