FORT MYERS, Fla. (Interstat) — Garrett Grant pitched three scoreless innings of relief and Florida Atlantic defeated Florida Gulf Coast 8-1 on Tuesday night at Swanson Stadium, snapping a two-game losing streak and evening the Owls’ record at 22-22.

The Owls (22-22) scored eight runs on 12 hits while the Eagles (26-17) managed only six hits and grounded into two double plays. Florida Atlantic’s bullpen combined to allow one earned run over seven innings after starter Dalton Robinson threw two scoreless frames.

Florida Atlantic took the lead in the top of the third inning. After a leadoff single by Lipsey and a stolen base, he moved to third on a flyout and scored on a groundout by Perazza. Collier then singled and advanced on a hit-by-pitch, and Martinez doubled to left-center to drive in two runs, making it 3-0.

The Owls added a run in the fifth on an RBI single by Ward after a throwing error extended the inning. In the seventh, Patten doubled to bring home Collier, and in the eighth, Romano doubled up the middle for two runs to push the lead to 8-1.

Florida Gulf Coast’s only run came in the bottom of the fourth. Dempsey singled, advanced to third on a double by Nelson, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Rapoza. But the Eagles left two runners on base in the frame and could not generate further offense.

Grant, who entered in the sixth inning, retired all nine batters he faced, striking out three. He had struggled in his previous two appearances, allowing seven earned runs over 4 1/3 innings. Dalton Robinson, Brayden Gilson and Reilly Witmer each pitched scoreless relief, with Witmer striking out two in the ninth.

For Florida Gulf Coast, Ryan Rushing threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out one. Logan Baisley also pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Starter Sebastian Lippman left after the first inning, and the Eagles used seven pitchers overall.

Romano led the Owls’ offense with two RBIs, going 1 for 5. Lipsey reached base three times, stole two bases and scored twice. Patten had two hits, including a double, and drove in a run.

The game was the third meeting this season between the two in-state rivals. Florida Gulf Coast had won the previous two matchups, 8-6 on April 14 and 12-4 on March 17.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Florida Gulf Coast 6, Florida Atlantic 5, and the Interstat ELO system gave the Eagles a 53.40 percent probability to win.