Rick Henderson: March 2009 Archives

A mixed crowd of 1,682 takes in the game at FAU Stadium

Productive Bats Sparse Tonight

The Miami Hurricanes came to FAU stadium tonight as the number 2 team in the nation according to the Baseball Writer's Poll. And it showed, as FAU struggled to find offensive rhythm and an arm that could cool the 'Cane's bats.  The final score was 13-6. 

Panther Bats Grapple Owl's Pen For 17 Runs

Florida International jumped out to a quick lead today and didn't look back as the defeated Florida Atlantic by a final score of 17-10 at FAU Stadium. 

The game started slower than the first two.  but that didn't last long.

FIU jumped out to a lead 4-1 in the top of the third, and Hugh Adams came on to relieve Adheen and get FAU out of the inning.

Hugh Adams got into a jam in the top of the fourth falling behind and loading the bases on three consecutive walks.  Alex Pepe was called in to action from the pen and struck out the first batter he faced.  But he then walked the next three he faced, as FAU surrendered its 6-4 inning starting lead at 7-6.

That would bring in Barry Rooks, on little rest.  But it wouldn't get any better as FIU put up another six runs before he could get out of the inning.  FIU hit a three run blast and sent thirteen to the plate in the 9 run tirade.

FAU then brought Adam Morrison in on less than two days rest having pitched five innings on Thursday.  FIU picked up another run to expand their lead to 14-7.

The Owls picked up a run in the bottom of the fifth inning and had a chance for a couple more, but a timely double play by the Panthers squelched that opportunity.

They would load the bases with two out in the sixth inning as FIU finally dipped into it's pen, but an untimely pop out ended the threat to cut further into the lead.

Mike Gipson, who came on for the Owls in the seventh and gave up a home run against the second Panther he faced. 

David Wilson led off the bottom of the inning with a single.  And Jeremy Griffiths laid down the pine with a two run blast that cleared the right field wall.

However, Gipson surrendered another home run in the top of the eighth to Lamar Guy, extending their lead to 17-10, and Coach McCormack went to the pen for the seventh pitcher on the afternoon in Chris Schmitt.

Schmitt worked through the ninth keeping the score in check.  The Owls were then down to their last three outs in the ninth. 

There would be no late inning heroics.  The Owls went down in order.  FAU will now await the winner of the New Orleans at Louisiana-Lafayette game to determine their fate.

Earlier in the day, Arkansas Little Rock defeated Arkansas State, knocking them out of contention.

Senior Day Photos

Game Highlights and Photos

Toppers Return to The Dance

As we predicted last time around, Western Kentucky will represent the Sun Belt Conference in the Big dance this year.  This was no surprise to avid Belt followers.  However, what was a surprise was the opponent they faced in the finals - South Alabama.

South Alabama came into the tournament as the sixth seed, and slid into the finals after winning their first two games by a combined total of five points.  One of their opponents was Troy; who's magical run came to a close by just three points.  Not that they didn't have their fair share of chances to get the win themselves.  Trojans Guard Michael Vogler missed the front end of a one-and-one and then two 3-point tries in the final 17 seconds as Troy tried to tie the game.

Ironically, USA's last leg into the final game came with little difficulty when they usurped a dismal shooting University of Arkansas Little-Rock squad by ten points.  The Trojans had no answer for the loss of Moore, their top scorer, and it showed.  They went 16-61 from the floor on the night.  However, South Alabama would not be so fortunate against WKU in the finals.

Tourney Recap and Tidbits

First Round - Wednesday, March 4, 2009

No. 9 Florida International 71 at No. 8 Louisiana-Lafayette 69 

No. 4 North Texas 79, No. 13 Florida Atlantic 73

No. 5 Middle Tennessee 69, No. 12 Arkansas State 62

No. 11 New Orleans 60 at No. 6 South Alabama 62

No. 7 Denver 66, No. 10 Louisiana-Monroe 57

Second Round - Sunday, March 8, 2009

No. 1 WKU 66 vs. No. 9 FIU 48

No. 4 North Texas 88 vs. No. 5 Middle Tennessee 79

No. 2 UALR vs. No. 7 Denver 55

No. 3 Troy 75 vs. No. 6 South Alabama 78

Semi Finals - Monday, March 9, 2009

No. 1 WKU 77 vs. No. 4 North Texas 70 

A.J. Slaughter scored 22 points, including two late three pointers to give the Toppers a 77-70 victory over North Texas in the Sun Belt semifinals.  North Texas had tied the game with just over five minutes remaining.  However, Slaughter would answer with two threes to make it 64-58, and bail out Western's poor performance from beyond the arch on the night (4-19).

No. 2 UALR 44 vs. No. 6 South Alabama 54

Domonic Tilford and Bryan Sherrer each scored 10 first-half points Monday as South Alabama opened a big lead over Arkansas-Little Rock and took a 54-44 victory in a Sun Belt Conference semifinal despite shooting 22 percent in the second half.  UALR had five turnovers in the first 7:20 while falling behind 20-5.  Ironically, the Trojans could not return the favor later in the second half as South Alabama would have their own cool spell.  At one point in the period USA was shooting 2 of 15 from the floor.

Finals - Tuesday, March 10, 2009

No. 1 WKU 64 vs. No. 6 South Alabama 56

Despite throwing away a 15-point first-half lead and trailing 43-39 in the second, the Hilltoppers found their way late, securing their 21st NCAA tournament berth by a final score of 64-56 before a national television audience on ESPN2.  South Alabama trailed 27-12 early on and 35-25 at halftime before putting together a big run to start the second half.  DeAndre' Coleman led the Jaguars with 27 points.  A.J. Slaughter scored 18 points for WKU.

All Tournament Team

            Josh White  UNT

DeAndre Coleman  USA

Domonic Tilford  USA

Orlando Mendez-Valdez  WKU

Sergio Kerusch  WKU

Tournament MVP

AJ Slaughter WKU

Braketology

We mentioned previously that no other Belt teams had the resume or results to convince the committee to give them an at large nod to the Round of 64 if Western Kentucky were to win the tournament.  The Toppers will likely be a number 14 seed.  But they could sneak in as high as 13 in some predictions floating around by those who delve into the soft science of post season placement.  There could be some interest in the NIT for the likes of UALR, which currently has an RPI as high as 102.  But narrowly beating Denver (3 points) and then losing to USA (10 points) could be a deal breaker for the committee.

John McCormack and UALR Head Coach Scott Norwood meet at home prior to today's game

Failed Ninth Inning Rally Leaves Owls Stinging In Loss

Unable to string together a successful late game rally, Florida Atlantic dropped the rubber match of the Sun Belt series against UALR today before a crowd of 373 at FAU stadium 6-4.

Florida Atlantic was stymied by UALR starter Sean Potter, who held the Owls scorless through 5 and 2/3rds innings.

In the fourth, the Trojans would send seven to the plate.  They would bring four home as a result.

The Trojans would pick up two more, with one coming in the top of the ninth inning before FAU took to the plate for thier last attempt. 

In the bottom of the ninth, while trailing 6-3, FAU got t hings got started with a single by Tyson Parks.  He was followed by pinch hitter Traviz Ozga, who walked.  Jeremy Griffiths then punched a double to deep right, scoring one, to narrow the deficit to 6-4. 

With 2 on, Tyler Herigg came to the plate in a pinch hitters role, and was walked on five pitches. 

This gave FAU their best chance on the afternoon as the bases were loaded for catcher Nick Criaris the Owls clean-up man.  But he took three strikes that were in the zone failing to move the runners forward.

The Owls were then down to their last batter in Nick DelGuidice, but he grounded out to second baseman Kody Kroll for the final out.

The Owls were paced by 1st baseman Sean Bukovich and, and left fielder David Wilson, who had 2 hits each.

The Trojans Sean Potter picks up his second win on the year in the victory (2-1).  

Glen Troyanowski took the loss for FAU and drops to 1-2.

Ironically, UALR committed three errors to just one for FAU.  However, the Trojans did manage to out hit the Owls as a team at .235 to .200 respectively.

Florida Atlantic now stands at 1-2 in Sun Belt play and 9-3 overall.

Next Up For the Owls

Florida Atlantic next hosts the Monmouth Hawks this Tuesday, March 10th, at 6:30 PM.  Fans can enjoy a buy one get one free special on the purchase of an adult ticket. 

Green's Run & Gun Prevails Despite Very Spirited Second By Owls

MEDIA COVERAGE

Radio: FOX 640AM - FAU @ UNT 8:00PM

LAST TIME OUT

The two teams met previously back on January 17th of 2009 at The Super Pit when the Mean Green came away with a 69-60 win. FAU kept it close until the 6:24 mark of the second half when UNT went up by 5. Notibly, the Owls were without the services of pre-season All SBC forward Carlos Monroe.  Brett Royster, who hails from Texas, had a very productive night for FAU with 14 points, 11 grabs, and 3 blocks. Carderro Nwoji, who is expected to return also finished with one of his best season performances tallying 15 points and 9 rebounds. The winner moves on to Hot Springs, Arkansas to face the winner of the No. 5 Middle Tennessee and No. 12 Arkansas State contest.

UNT AT A GLANCE

Team Site:  meangreensports.com

The Owls need to keep a close defensive eye on senior guard Adam McCoy, who is averaging 22.8 points per game on 59.7% shooting during his last five outings. Also, it's no secret that North Texas knows how to get to the free throw line. The Mean Green ranks second only to UTEP nationally in charity tosses made. UNT went to the line 28 times during the last meeting. Arguably the league's most versatile player, Eric Tramiel is the Sun Belt's only newcomer to average over 12.0 points per game and have at least 20 assists and 20 blocks. 

FAU AT A GLANCE

PROBABLE STARTERS

UNT

01 Dominique Johnson G 5-10 150
10 Josh White G 5-10 167
14 Tristan Thompson G 6-5 185
25 Eric Tramiel F 6-7 225
04 George Odufwa F 6-8 240

Florida Atlantic 

25 Paul Graham G 6-5 190
05 Alex Tucker G 5-11 160
12 Shavar Richardson G 6-2 165 
32 Carlos Monroe F 6-8 245
40 Brett Royster F 6-8 220


LATEST LINE 

TBA but surely UNT 

OWLS NEST PREDICTION

The Owls put up a fight in the last outing until late in the game, but did not have Carlos Monroe available.  Low post defensive effort was a definite contributor as Watson and Hernandez both fouled out in a combined 30 minutes of play. There is no clear height advantage for either squad this time around, and they actually match-up quite well from a skill perspective.  Strong post presence (without foul trouble), along with a shadow on McCoy (likely Tucker), will remain the defensive keys for a further run into the post season. The Owls must also compliment this on offense, and spread the points evenly.  This will likely tell the tale for FAU, as it is often a "one guy hot, and two guys not" performance. As Jarvis mentioned after the last loss to FIU, Paul Graham can not do it alone.  And all UNT defender's eyes will be on him. However, look for Carlos Monroe to continue his last solid showing; something that was lacking the previous meeting all together.  Brett Royster playing in front of warm family and friends is also a good compliment to count on. Call us crazy, but we like FAU in a game that goes the full distance, and will be entertaining.

FAU - 3