Paradise Brew 4/27: Series Wins

Plus: A new addition.

April 27, 2026

Good Morning, FAU Fam. Florida Atlantic took the series from Memphis two games to one, capping the road trip despite a 4-3 walk-off loss in Sunday's finale. Bella Foran collected two hits and Autumn Courtney struck out four in relief as FAU showed the gritty baserunning that's defined this squad, swiping a season-high-tying four bags on the day.

The Owls drew 17 walks across the three-game set, their most in a conference series this season. FAU sits fifth in the American Conference standings with a final regular-season home series against UAB on deck.

What else do we have mixed into today’s Brew? Check it out below!

🏡 Welcome Home
🏖️ What’s Next
🦉 And much, much more

🔼 Series W. Florida Atlantic took the Charlotte series two games to one despite dropping Sunday's finale 5-4. Nick Romano drove in all four Owl runs, ripping an RBI double in the fifth to spark the comeback and launching a two-run homer in the ninth to make it a one-run game. Brayden Gilson was the bullpen star, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings of relief after starter Garrett Grant exited in the first. FAU had the tying run in scoring position in the ninth but couldn't push it across. The Owls sit in a four-way tie for fifth in the American Conference with nine league games left, starting with a trip tomorrow to Florida Gulf Coast.

🔼 Tee It Up. Florida Atlantic men's golf heads to the American Conference Championship starting today in Bradenton. Sophomore Biagio Gagliardi leads the Owls with a 71.92 scoring average after finishing eighth at last year's conference championship, while NaShawn Tyson, who earned an at-large NCAA Regional bid last season, paces the team with 93 birdies. They're joined by freshman Louka Morin (90 birdies in 11 starts), graduate senior Guilherme Grinberg, and sophomore Christian Veilleux in the 11-team, 54-hole event. No. 22 Charlotte enters as the defending champion and top seed, with the final round airing on ESPN+.

🔼 Welcome Home. Florida Atlantic head coach John Jakus added Ryne Lightfoot to the men's basketball staff as an assistant coach. Lightfoot arrives from Coastal Carolina, where he served as associate head coach and defensive coordinator for two seasons, helping the Chanticleers post the most wins in program history in the Sun Belt. Named one of the top 75 assistants nationally by TopConnect in 2025, Lightfoot previously coached at Western Carolina and Grand Canyon, where he helped the Lopes reach the 2021 NCAA Tournament. As a player at Bethel University, he racked up 2,075 points, 702 assists, and 500-plus rebounds, joining Scottie Pippen as one of just three NAIA players at the time to reach those career milestones.

🔼 What’s Next. No. 19 Florida Atlantic entered the CUSA Championship as the top seed and gutted out a thrilling 3-2 semifinal win over UAB, with Olivia Strandberg and Ava Koehl rallying from a set down on court two to clinch the deciding point, before Tulane took the title. FAU finishes 22-16, the second-most wins in program history, and earned two CUSA All-Tournament selections in the pairs of Strandberg/Koehl and Kendall Mignerey/Shayna Wolf. The Sandy Owls now await the NCAA Championship field.

If a Florida Atlantic baseball player hits a grand slam in the 4th inning during one of the selected home games, one lucky fan will win $15,000 toward the lease or purchase of a brand new car from Phil Smith Acura or Phil Smith Kia.

Florida Atlantic Owls fans! Enter the 7th Inning Stretch Sweepstakes presented by Nozzle Nolen for a chance to win big at the ballpark! Four (4) lucky winners will receive four (4) baseball tickets to FAU’s May 16 Saturday home games, a $50 Owls Gear bookstore gift card, be introduced in-game as the Sweepstakes winner, and take center stage to lead the crowd in Take Me Out to the Ball Game during the 7th inning stretch.

No one enjoys a long, marathon visit to car a dealership. You don’t… and neither do our friends at Phil Smith Kia. They’re committed to getting the right vehicle for you, in the least amount of time, at a price and payment you can afford.

Their product specialists are all certified to help you with anything you need. Their managers work directly with you on pricing to ensure the best value. Their finance managers are experts and work with dozens of lenders to get you the best terms.

And their locally owned dealerships support the local community—building up South Florida’s education, healthcare, and so much more.

🤝 HERE TO HELP

From the first moment you contact our friends at Shiner Law Group, you’re treated like family. But don’t take our word for it—see what their clients are saying about their experience in Shiner Law Group’s Google Review Profile.

When you contact Shiner Law Group to help you after an accident, you’ll get a team of top-rated lawyers and professionals ready to fight on your behalf and give you the individualized attention you deserve to maximize your recovery.

No matter what type of accident case you may have, Shiner Law Group will always be available to help—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Ryne Lightfoot was a five-time All-American at Bethel University and won a prestigious individual award in 2010 named after an NBA legend. What was the award?

Have a guess?

Scroll to the bottom to find out!

Florida Atlantic University Athletics is excited for Golf Tournaments in Paradise!

The Phil Smith '69 Invitational will be hosted at Coral Ridge Country Club in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, May 4, 2026. To view the tournament website, please click HERE.

The Captain's Cup Classic will be hosted at Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club in Boca Raton on Monday, May 18, 2026. To view the tournament website, please click HERE.

Season tickets for the upcoming 2026 Florida Atlantic Football season are now on sale through the Owls Ticket Office. Season tickets to support your Hometown Team start at just $75. Purchase 2026 season tickets and renew your season tickets now!

The Week Ahead is brought to you by our friends at Sage Dental, who are creating a modern, family-friendly approach to dentistry with one thing in mind—you. From pediatric dentistry and orthodontics to teeth cleanings and oral surgery, they work to provide you and your family with the best dental care all in one place.

*All Times Are in ET

Monday, April 27
⛳ Men’s Golf @ American Conference Championship (Bradenton, Fla.)

Tuesday, April 28
⛳ Men’s Golf @ American Conference Championship (Bradenton, Fla.)
⚾ Baseball @ Florida Gulf Coast @ 6:30 p.m. (Fort Myers, Fla.)

Wednesday, April 29
⛳ Men’s Golf @ American Conference Championship (Bradenton, Fla.)

Thursday, April 30
🥎 Softball vs. UAB @ 6 p.m. | Watch: ESPN+ | Tickets

Friday, May 1
🏖️ Beach Volleyball vs. NCAA Championship (Gulf Shores, Ala.)
👟 Women’s Cross Country & Track & Field @ UNF Invitational (Jacksonville, Fla.)
🥎 Softball vs. UAB @ 6 p.m. | Watch: ESPN+ | Tickets
⚾ Baseball @ USF @ 6:30 p.m. (Tampa, Fla.)

Saturday, May 2
🏖️ Beach Volleyball vs. NCAA Championship (Gulf Shores, Ala.)
👟 Women’s Cross Country & Track & Field @ UNF Invitational (Jacksonville, Fla.)
🥎 Softball vs. UAB @ 12 p.m. | Watch: ESPN+ | Tickets
⚾ Baseball @ USF @ 2 p.m. (Tampa, Fla.)

Sunday, May 3
🏖️ Beach Volleyball vs. NCAA Championship (Gulf Shores, Ala.)
⚾ Baseball @ USF @ 1 p.m. (Tampa, Fla.)

🦉 Go here for the complete Florida Atlantic University Athletics Calendar

Paradise Trivia is brought to you by Choice Mortgage Group, the Official Mortgage Lender of Florida Atlantic Athletics.

Answer: The NCCAA Pete Maravich Award.

🦉 Have a great week, Owl Fam!