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SERIES THREAD: Cincinnati @ FAU - Feb 15-17, 2013

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What:      Cincinnati (0-0) at Florida Atlantic (0-0)

When:      Fri,  Feb 15th at 6:30 PM
                Sat, Feb 16th at 2:00 PM
                Sun, Feb 17th at 12:00 PM


Where:    FAU Baseball Stadium


Live Stats  Here


Series:      The Owls lead 8-1 overall and swept the Bearcats 3-0 last year behind a commanding 17-3 offensive showing.

Projected Starting Pitchers:

Friday:      FAU - LHP Austin Gomber (3-4, 3.82 ERA 2012)
                Cinn- RHP Christian McElroy (4-6, 4.41 ERA 2012)

Saturday:  FAU - RHP Jake Meiers (2-4, 9.64 ERA 2012)
                Cinn - RHP Andrew Strenge (1-3, 7.12 ERA 2012)

Sunday:    FAU - RHP Jeremy Strawn (0-0, 1.93 ERA 2012)
                Cinn - RHP Connor Walsh (0-0, 0.00 ERA 2012)






The Owls will be looking to repeat 2012's results, and others are on board with that premise, having been selected as favorites by league coaches and notable publication and website Baseball America.

To aid in the quest, McCormack has six positional players returning, and two pitchers from the starting rotation in Austin Gomber and Kevin Alexander.

Mark Nelson (.290, 45 RBI 2012) is the leading candidate for top offensive threat, although fellow senior Corey Keller (.302 2012) should also make some noise in the power department. The duo tied for a team best seven homers each last season.

Around the horn, the Owls have arguably the best catching tandem in the Sun Belt with returner Mike Spano and newcomer Levi Meyer. Spano got the nod behind the plate 43 times last year, and made his presence felt standing beside it as well, connecting for a .291 average with 22 RBI. Aside from Nelson at 1st, Robert Buckley and Ricky Santiago should occupy the 2nd and 3rd bags, with Mitch Morales filling the gap at shortstop.

"Mitch started a lot of games as a freshman last year and had a really strong fall," said McCormack. "He is running better, swinging the bat better and is more confidence in his skills."

On the mound, preseason 1st Team All-SBC recipient Austin Gomber (3-4. 3.82 ERA 2012) will take the lead in the rotation. Gomber was responsible for 63 K's in 61 innings of action last season. Kevin Alexander (5-1, 3.29 ERA 2012) will likely get the nod at number two, although not slated for that role this weekend. Rounding out the series staff is Jeremy Strewn (1.93 ERA 2012), who was sidelined due to injury early in the year and appeared in only two contests.

Jake Meiers, who is in the two spot for Saturday, will likely be the mid week man McCormack will look to when needed.

In the bull pen the team welcomes the return of Hugh Adams in closer activity. He'll take the reigns formerly held by speedballer R.J. Alavarez who departed for the major league. Adams also suffered an injury in 2012, with no appearances, and will be stepping onto the hill as a 5th year senior. He went 3.22 in his junior year, while walking only seven of the 134 batters he faced, and striking out 29.

"We’re glad to have Hugh back and he should be a key piece to our bullpen," McCormack said. "It’s nice to know you have someone with experience at saving games under fire."

Beyond the diamond, Florida Atlantic has depth with upperclassmen Nathan Pittman and Geoff Jimenez available in center field. Keller will occupy right with juco transfer Tyler Rocklein being the likely choice over in left after a solid showing in Fall camp.

Cincinnati returns just 14 letter winners from 2012, including only two of eight position players from a team that went 18-38 and finished 12th in the BiG East with a 7-20 record.

Junior outfielder Justin Glass was named to the 2013 Preseason All BiG East conference team, as voted by the league’s 11 head coaches. Glass was All BiG East First  team selection last season after he finishing with a .366 batting average (4th) and 15 stolen bases (T 11th).

On the mound, 236 of the Bearcats 395 strikeouts (59.7 percent) return, led by senior lefty Thomas Gentile, who posted a
team-high 60 Ks last season.

McCormack leads his unit into initial action against a familiar face in that of Cincy head man Brian Cleary, who was a former teammate of his at Pope John Paul II High School. The two first met while in middle school playing Little League on a local team, and have seen a friendship withstand the test of time while continuing to speak to on a regular basis by phone.

"Brian is one of the finest people I’ve ever met," McCormack said.  "His capacity to care for others is unbelievable.  He’s always sending e-mails or notes to say something positive to people and is an all-around great guy."

"The job has nuances that both of us understand, and we blow off steam and pick each other’s brains", Cleary said. " I just consider John a great person and a very good friend."
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Re: Series Preview: Cincinnati @ FAU - Feb 15-17, 2013

Sweep. Go owls!
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Re: Series Preview: Cincinnati @ FAU - Feb 15-17, 2013

OwlfaninSC said

Sweep. Go owls!

+1


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Re: Series Preview: Cincinnati @ FAU - Feb 15-17, 2013

Does anyone know if the call has been called for today?
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Re: Series Preview: Cincinnati @ FAU - Feb 15-17, 2013

Softball has, trying to find out about baseball...
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Re: Series Preview: Cincinnati @ FAU - Feb 15-17, 2013

Hasn't been called yet. They will decide by about 5:30 PM.
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Re: Series Preview: Cincinnati @ FAU - Feb 15-17, 2013

Rick said

Hasn't been called yet. They will decide by about 5:30 PM.

Tonight's game has been postponed, teams will meet tomorrow at 12:00 PM for a DH.
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Re: SERIES THREAD: Cincinnati @ FAU - Feb 15-17, 2013

Tomorrow sounds like a perfect day to day drink then! FAU Opening Day at noon, then off to the Lightning Panthers game at 3 in Sunrise!
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Re: SERIES THREAD: Cincinnati @ FAU - Feb 15-17, 2013

SERIES THREAD: Cincinnati @ FAU - Feb 15-17, 2013

3??

The 1st game won't be over by then ;D

;)
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Re: SERIES THREAD: Cincinnati @ FAU - Feb 15-17, 2013

FINAL

FAU 9
Cinn 2

Owls start off the season 1-0.
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