Small ball, consistent pitching and late inning homers were the answer in Florida Atlantic University’s 11-5 victory over Fordham University, Saturday.

“It was a nice win and a good all around effort,” said John McCormack, FAU’s head coach. “The bullpen did a nice job and if we can continue to get that kind of performance from the pen it will be a nice season. I thought Chris Schmidt did a nice job and as I have said, I believe Ahmed Garcia is a player that fans will enjoy watching.”

Fordham jumped on the board early with a two-out home run in the top of the first by Bobby DiNardo. The blast to right was his first of two on the night, a night that he accounted for three of the team’s five RBI.

FAU, which improved to 2-0 on the season, answered in the bottom half of the inning with a Travis Ozga sacrifice fly plating Anthony Mesa who had reached on a walk and moved to third on a double by Jeremy Griffiths.

The Owls scored another in the bottom of the second after retiring Fordham in order. Nick Criaris reached on a throwing error that moved him to second. He was sacrificed to third and scored on a ground out to second.

The 2-1 lead would hold through the third and would be tied in the top of the fourth. Fordham took a 5-2 lead in the fifth and was blanked the final four innings by a strong bullpen performance.

Senior Chris Schmidt, who picked up the victory, stared the sixth and pitched two scoreless innings. The Delray Beach product allowed just one hit and faced one over the minimum.

Schmidt’s performance was buoyed by the Owls offense which took advantage of several baulks and scored seven runs on just three hits in the sixth and seventh. One of the three hits was a three RBI homer by Criaris.

Holding a 9-5 advantage, freshman Ahmed Garcia made his collegiate debut and finished the game with two scoreless innings. The lefty from Miami , allowed one hit and struck out two.

FAU second baseman William Block also had a strong night at the plate with a double and the homer.

Fordham’s Greg Dimmling took the loss after 1/3 an inning of work in the sixth.

The Owls are scheduled to complete the three-game series 1 p.m., Sunday, February 22 at FAU Field.


Source:  FAU Media Relations