SERIES THREAD: #17 FAU vs FIU - Apr 22nd - 24th, 2016
Who: No. 17 Florida Atlantic (27-8, 11-4) at FIU (17-21, 5-10)
Friday 4/22 @ 6:30 PM
FAU RHP Marc Stewart (5-0, 2.42 ERA)
FIU RHP Cody Crouse (2-1, 3.03 ERA)
Saturday 4/23 @ 6:30 PM
FAU LHP Brandon Rhodes (5-3, 4.77 ERA)
FIU RHP Chris Mourelle (4-4, 5.55 ERA)
Sunday 4/24 @ 1:00 PM
FAU LHP Sean Labsan (4-1, 1.74 ERA)
FIU LHP Alex Demchak (3-1, 2.21 ERA
Notes
FAU has sputtered at times the last couple of weeks, dropping four-of-eight contests, and experiencing extra innings in four as well. But if the start to this period is any indicator, they appear to have successfully navigated some mid-season speed bumps.
Two solid wins have found their way to the 27-8 ball club in the last 72 hours, highlighted by last night's historic 4-3 slide past #1 Miami in Coral Gables. On Tuesday, the Owls hosted Florida Gulf Coast for the second and final season meeting and came away victorious 5-2.
Last weekend, the Owls won their fourth C-USA series of the season, taking the first two games against Marshall in Beckley. A loss on Sunday moved them into 2nd place in league standings at 11-4, while still commanding the best overall mark.
CJ Chatham (photo above) has the hottest bat for the last five games collectively, boasting a .421 average with eight hits, including two doubles and a home run. He also scored eight runs and made his way to first twice via walk, which help set up a healthy .522 on-base percentage.
On the hill, Cameron Ragsdale picked up his league-leading 11th save against the Hurricanes on Wednesday. He's currently tied for second in the nation only to VCU's Sam Donko who has 14 saves.
Saturday’s 10-2 victory at Marshall marked the 10th time this season that the Owls have scored double-digit runs in a game. The team is averaging 6.9 runs per game, and that is good for 2nd place in the league.
The Panthers were off during the week and were last 1-2 at Louisiana Tech over the weekend, producing a grand total of just two runs in a pitching-dominated series. Things won't get much easier as three of their final five conference weekends will be against the top three teams in Conference USA.
Junior RHP Cody Crouse, who had elbow surgery last year, was finally back in his familiar Friday spot in the rotation against the Bulldogs. With no limitations, Crouse delivered his best performance in an FIU uniform with a career-high 8.1 shutout innings that included five strikeouts.
Despite their recent offensive trend, Florida International does enjoy a team batting average of .304 (2nd C-USA), an overall slugging percentage of .411 (4th C-USA) and 409 total hits (1st C-USA).
FIU is also continuing to build upon its singles penchant. In the last seven games, the Panthers have 62 hits and 55 of those hits are singles.
Warm weather returns for the weekend series, with Friday showing the only day where storms could impede on play.
It's Lord of the Rings Nite at the FIU ballpark. Good seats still available: pic.twitter.com/1gNvQnPb66
— Pete Pelegrin (@PetePelegrin) April 22, 2016
An hour in and only two innings complete.
Chatham and Endris each with two RBI and the Owls up big, at 6-1 in game one.
Top 3rd
Rick said
Warm weather returns for the weekend series, with Friday showing the only day where storms could impede on play.Posted On: Apr 21st 2016, 7:01 PM #355857
Prophecy fulfilled, lightning delay.
Significant weather advisory for 45 to 55 mph winds and the development of funnel clouds for northwestern Miami-Dade County until 830 PM EDT
Owls with a base runner aboard in the top half of the fourth inning with two out.
The FAU pitching staff accumulated 11 strikeouts for the tilt.
Billy Endris was 2-for-3, with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI, and CJ Chatham added 2 RBI and a run scored.
Weather should be much more favorable for tomorrow's 6:30 start in game two.
UPDATED SCHEDULE: 2016 FAU Baseball Schedule - FAU Owl's Nest
Sad that we kinda p____d away the U win there last night!
FINAL: #FAU ⚾ 3 FIU 4. Owls (2-13 RISP) drop thier 2nd CUSA series of 2016. Labsan 2RBI HR, Dicks RBI. G3 Sun 1:00 PM. #GoOwls
— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) April 24, 2016
UPDATED SCHEDULE & RESULTS: 2016 FAU Baseball Schedule - FAU Owl's Nest
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