SERIES THREAD: UConn vs FAU - Feb 13th - 15th, 2015
What: UConn (0-0) at Florida Atlantic (0-0)
When: Fri, Feb 13th at 6:30 PM
Sat, Feb 14th at 4:00 PM
Sun, Feb 15th at 12:00 PM
Where: FAU Baseball Stadium
Video: Here (Fri & Sun)
Stats: Here
Series:
The teams faced off once previously in 2006 with Connecticut taking 2-of-3 games. Just three runs were scored in the first two contests (DH) collectively.
Projected Starting Pitchers:
Sat: UConn - RHP Carson Cross (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
FAU - RHP Kyle Miller (0-0, 4.02 ERA)
Sat: UConn - LHP Anthony Kay (5-4, 3.49 ERA)
FAU - RHP Drew Jackson (5-4, 4.48 ERA)
Sun: UConn - RHP Jordan Tabakman (4-4, 3.40 ERA)
FAU - RHP Robbie Coursel (5-4, 3.16 ERA)
*2014 Pitching Stats
Florida Atlantic returns 19 players from 2014 (28-25, 14-16 C-USA) while featuring 16 newcomers as head coach John McCormack leads the Owls into his seventh season at the helm.
Junior OF Brendon Sanger, one of five Owls to start every game last season, led FAU with a .332 batting average and led Conference USA in both walks with 35 and on-base percentage at .439. He amassed 20 multiple-hit games and tied for the team lead with a trio of three-RBI outings.
Sophomore IF Stephen Kerr was named Second Team All-Conference USA and was a member of the All-Freshman team for his outstanding 2014 play for the Owls. He hit an impressive .324 with a team-high 38 runs and 10 stolen bases. Kerr drew 21 walks while striking out just 16 times in 207 at-bats. His 24 extra-base hits led the team, as did his six games with three hits.
Both were named to the Conference USA Preseason All Conference Team.
Two new starters will enter the weekend rotation for FAU, including returning junior RHP Kyle Miller, and St. Petersburg College transfer RHP Robbie Coursel. Miller appeared in nine games last season with three of those being mid-week starts. He registered three saves in 15.2 innings of work while striking out 10 batters. Coursel took the mound 14 times for the Titans, posting five wins against four losses as a starter. He fanned 56 batters during his 77 total innings of work.
Florida Atlantic posted victories against three nationally-ranked in-state opponents in 2014 (Miami, Florida and UCF) and went 24-0 when leading after seven innings. Under head coach John McCormack, the Owls have compiled a record of 153-4 over the last five years when leading after the seventh inning.
Head Coach Jim Penders enters his 12th year at the helm of the UConn program, holding a 382-270-4 record during his tenure.
The Huskies return seven starting position players for the 2015 season, including a trio of 2014 First Team All-Conference performers in OF Blake Davey, C Max McDowell and 1B Bobby Melley.
Melley was named NEIBA New England Player of the Year at the conclusion of last season after leading The American with a .359 batting average.
The Huskies also bring back three starters who tossed at least 60 innings a year ago in Anthony Kay, Jordan Tabakman and Andrew Zapata. Carson Cross will return to the rotation after missing 2014 with a shoulder injury. Cross went 9-4 with a 2.44 ERA in 2013.
There are some Rule Changes to note for the year - including a foul pole color modification, and a seam height adjustment to balls.
Pumped.
#FridayThe13th ain't got nothing on @FAU_Baseball. Owls are 11-4 All-Time on the day, & have beaten foes by a 5 run avg. in wins. #Fact #FAU
— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) February 13, 2015
Baseball set to open 2015 against UConn at 6:30 PM.
— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) February 13, 2015
Starters: Kerr 2b, Lashley 1B, Sanger RF, Santiago 3B, Collins CF, Abraham C, Puerta DH, Chatham SS, Dick LF, Miller P. #GoOwls!
— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) February 13, 2015
Opening night at FAU! Go Owls! #WinToday pic.twitter.com/nlN97IaCGu
— Roc Bellantoni (@CoachRoc) February 13, 2015
M1 Miller sends Uconn down in order, fans the first batter of the season with a fastball before enticing a fly-out and another K .
— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) February 13, 2015
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