Game Two:

FINAL:

FAU 9  FIU 5





Mark Nelson slapped two homeruns for 6RBI as Florida Atlantic assured themselves at least the series with a 9-5 come from behind win in game two over the Panthers.

FIU plated solo efforts with two outs in both the 1st and 2nd innings, while FAU managed just one hit in their first five turns at bat.

With the bags loaded for the Panthers in the 5th, Cory Keller made a diving attempt at a ball in right field that was ruled as a trap, allowing two more to cross the plate and a 4-0 lead for Florida International.

But matters quickly changed as the Owls caught a two out break in the 6th off a Panther fielding error allowing Geoff Jimenez to cross the plate for their first score. Nelson then connected for his first round tripper, a two-run shot to left that made it 4-3 and had FAU within striking distance.

In the 7th, Nelson found the sweet spot again, blasting a grand slam that would then seal the deal for the visitors.

The Panthers added their final score off a solo homerun in the 9th, which had no effect on the outcome.

Kevin Alexander (3-0) tossed seven innings, issuing three runs on eight hits for FAU before giving way to Josh Gonzaga, who notched the save.

Geoff Jimenez was 2-for-5 for the Owls, and Mitch Morales had 1RBI.

FIU had a 12-7 advantage in hits, but committed four errors on the game, three of which led to four Florida Atlantic runs.

The Owls will go for the sweep tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.

Game Two:

FINAL:

FAU 9  FIU 5





Mark Nelson slapped two homeruns for 6RBI as Florida Atlantic assured themselves at least the series with a 9-5 come from behind win in game two over the Panthers.

FIU plated solo efforts with two outs in both the 1st and 2nd innings, while FAU managed just one hit in their first five turns at bat.

With the bags loaded for the Panthers in the 5th, Cory Keller made a diving attempt at a ball in right field that was ruled as a trap, allowing two more to cross the plate and a 4-0 lead for Florida International.

But matters quickly changed as the Owls caught a two out break in the 6th off a Panther fielding error allowing Geoff Jimenez to cross the plate for their first score. Nelson then connected for his first round tripper, a two-run shot to left that made it 4-3 and had FAU within striking distance.

In the 7th, Nelson found the sweet spot again, blasting a grand slam that would then seal the deal for the visitors.

The Panthers added their final score off a solo homerun in the 9th, which had no effect on the outcome.

Kevin Alexander (3-0) tossed seven innings, issuing three runs on eight hits for FAU before giving way to Josh Gonzaga, who notched the save.

Geoff Jimenez was 2-for-5 for the Owls, and Mitch Morales had 1RBI.

FIU had a 12-7 advantage in hits, but committed four errors on the game, three of which led to four Florida Atlantic runs.

The Owls will go for the sweep tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.

Come on guys let's get the sweep on the kitties!

Come on guys let's get the sweep on the kitties!

Game Three:

FINAL:

FAU 9  FIU 3





A combination of solid pitching and offense put the Owls past Florida International 9-3 on Sunday in game three of the series.

The Owls complete their second sweep on the season, and place the Panthers at 8-10 overall and 0-3 in Sun Belt play – their worst league start in more than seven seasons.

Mark Nelson (2-for-5, 4RBI) singled to drive in Jimenez for the Owls’ first run in the top of the 3rd inning.

Errors, which continued to be a problem for FIU, allowed Mike Albaladejo to cross the plate for the second score shortly afterwards.

The Owls (14-7, 3-0) would add another pair in their next trip to the plate, as Jimenez (3-for-5, 1RBI) doubled in Dylan Siegel before an Albaladejo ground out allowed Mitch Morales to score.

An RBI triple by FIU’s Nathan Burns pulled the Panthers to within a pair in the 5th inning at 4-2.

On the heels of heroics just a day before, Nelson hit his fourth homer on the year in the top of the 6th, this time a three run shot to right field that increased FAU’s lead to 7-2.

Sun Belt leading hitter Mike Martinez swatted an opposite field solo homer for FIU to close the gap to 7-3 in the bottom of the inning.

Mike Spano matched that effort for FAU in the 7th, depositing the ball over the wall in left before the Owls added a final insurance run in the 8th.

Owl starter Austin Gomber (photo) notched his first career win, and put up a new best in strike outs, fanning 10 Panthers through six innings, and allowing three earned runs off five hits.

Nelson is now tied with 3B Kyle Newton for a team best 19 RBI on the year.

FIU’s Pablo Bermudez, voted preseason Sun Belt player of the Year was 0-of-4, with all appearances at the plate resulting in strike outs.

The Owls next host Miami on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the team’s second meeting on the year. The Hurricanes previously won 10-5 in Coral Gables.

Game Three:

FINAL:

FAU 9  FIU 3





A combination of solid pitching and offense put the Owls past Florida International 9-3 on Sunday in game three of the series.

The Owls complete their second sweep on the season, and place the Panthers at 8-10 overall and 0-3 in Sun Belt play – their worst league start in more than seven seasons.

Mark Nelson (2-for-5, 4RBI) singled to drive in Jimenez for the Owls’ first run in the top of the 3rd inning.

Errors, which continued to be a problem for FIU, allowed Mike Albaladejo to cross the plate for the second score shortly afterwards.

The Owls (14-7, 3-0) would add another pair in their next trip to the plate, as Jimenez (3-for-5, 1RBI) doubled in Dylan Siegel before an Albaladejo ground out allowed Mitch Morales to score.

An RBI triple by FIU’s Nathan Burns pulled the Panthers to within a pair in the 5th inning at 4-2.

On the heels of heroics just a day before, Nelson hit his fourth homer on the year in the top of the 6th, this time a three run shot to right field that increased FAU’s lead to 7-2.

Sun Belt leading hitter Mike Martinez swatted an opposite field solo homer for FIU to close the gap to 7-3 in the bottom of the inning.

Mike Spano matched that effort for FAU in the 7th, depositing the ball over the wall in left before the Owls added a final insurance run in the 8th.

Owl starter Austin Gomber (photo) notched his first career win, and put up a new best in strike outs, fanning 10 Panthers through six innings, and allowing three earned runs off five hits.

Nelson is now tied with 3B Kyle Newton for a team best 19 RBI on the year.

FIU’s Pablo Bermudez, voted preseason Sun Belt player of the Year was 0-of-4, with all appearances at the plate resulting in strike outs.

The Owls next host Miami on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the team’s second meeting on the year. The Hurricanes previously won 10-5 in Coral Gables.

Making the sweep in Miami, nice way to start conference play!

Making the sweep in Miami, nice way to start conference play!