BOCA RATON, Fla. (Interstat) — John Martinez hit a three-run homer in the second inning and Ian Collier added a two-run shot in the eighth as Florida Atlantic opened its season with a 7-1 victory over Notre Dame on Friday evening at FAU Baseball Stadium.

The Owls, playing at home, broke open a tight game with a four-run eighth inning to secure the win. The Fighting Irish, who opened their season with the loss, managed just five hits and struck out 15 times against four Florida Atlantic pitchers.

Notre Dame scored its lone run in the top of the second inning. With two outs, Jake Coy reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on a single by Anthony Passo. Dylan Zee then drove a single through the left side, scoring Coy.

Florida Atlantic answered immediately in the bottom half of the frame against Notre Dame starter Jack Radel. After a walk and a single, Patrick Ward’s deep flyout advanced both runners. Martinez then connected on a three-run homer to left field, giving the Owls a 3-1 lead they would not relinquish.

The game remained a two-run contest until the bottom of the eighth, when the Owls’ offense erupted. After a double by shortstop Noah Leroux, Collier launched a two-run homer to deep left field off reliever Ryan Rooney. Michael Perazza followed with a double and scored on an RBI single by Ward. Ward later scored on an RBI double from Martinez, his fourth run batted in of the game.

The most important part of the game was Florida Atlantic’s immediate response to Notre Dame’s early score. The Fighting Irish had seized a brief 1-0 lead in the top of the second, but Martinez’s three-run homer in the bottom of the inning permanently shifted momentum to the home side. It erased Notre Dame’s advantage, established a lead for FAU starter Carson Kimball, who earned the win, and set the tone for an evening where the Irish offense struggled to mount any sustained threat.

Radel took the loss for Notre Dame. Kide Adetuyi, Kimball and C.J. Boully combined for 5 1/3 innings of scoreless relief for the Owls, allowing just three hits.

The two teams continue their three-game series on Saturday.

NOTES: The loss dropped Notre Dame to 0-1, while Florida Atlantic improved to 1-0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Notre Dame with a 56.70 percent probability to win the contest. … Notre Dame’s next game is Saturday at Florida Atlantic. The Owls host the Fighting Irish again on Sunday before a Tuesday home game against Missouri.