GAME THREAD: Miami @ FAU - March 27th, 2019
What: Miami (15-9) vs. Florida Atlantic (16-8)
When: Wednesday, March 27th @ 6:30pm
Where: FAU Baseball Stadium
Video: CUSA.tv
Live Stats: Here
Miami Team Site: Here
Series: UM has dominated the series 63-17, including a Hurricanes win early this season. Granted, the last four years has seen just a slight 7-5 advantage for UM.
Projected Starting Pitchers:
FAU - Ryan Sandberg, Jr. RHP (0-1, 2.89)
UM - Slade Cecconi, Fr. RHP (3-1, 2.45)
FAU at a Glance
The Owls return to Boca Raton for four straight following their first trip outside the state of Florida. Last weekend, FAU took the series over an upstart UAB side after taking the first two games in Birmingham. The Owls' comeback effort in Game Three on Sunday feel just short, with the hosts coming out victorious 6-5.
This game against Miami will be the second of a season-long three game set against the Hurricanes. The Owls lost the first match 11-4 in Coral Gables.
Winners of 10 of their last 11, and 13 of their last 15, the Owls will turn to former Saturday SP Ryan Sandberg to start on the mound. Last time out, Sandberg saw 2.1 innings of work in a no-decision start against Rice. His 4 hits and 2 earned runs included a pair of doubles and a homer against the Owls from Houston.
The winning streak has allowed the Owls to flex their bats. FAU now ranks in the top twenty in hits, bating average, home runs, doubles, and slugging percentage.
This weekend the Owls will play their other rivals from Miami-Dade County, as FIU (11-12) takes the trip up to Boca Raton for a three-game series.
Being labeled as a "Premium Game", the stadium gates will open early, two hours before the first pitch.
Miami at a Glance
The Hurricanes are seeing a dip in recent form, having lost six straight after winning 10 of 11. Granted, these losses came against a few solid opponents like UNC, NC State, and one of FAU's 2018 Gainesville Regional opponent, Columbia.
Most recently, UM was swept at home by NC State. The Wolfpack have only lost one game all season, and that was to top ranked Florida State
However, like the Owls, Miami has had a very impressive season offensively. They are currently ranked 10th in the country for home runs with a team total of 27.
Nine different Hurricanes have hit at least one home run this season. 1B Alex Toral has a team-best at 11 HR, followed by 3B Raymond Gil and SS Freddy Zamora who are tied at 5 HR each.
The next and final matchup between these two teams this season will take place on April 3rd down in Coral Gables.
What a gorgeous evening for #BaseballInParadise! First pitch between #FAU and #UM is 15 minutes away. 🌴⚾️🌴— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 27, 2019
#FAU 0 - #UM 7 | Mid of 3rd
Its a tough start for the Owls as they are unable to put any runs on the board, but were able to Miami to 7 as they head into the bottom of the 3rd— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 27, 2019
Like you said Lexi, the defense has played pretty well tonight. Montes and Urbaez stand out immediately.
Jon Jon Kostantis has really righted the ship for the boys. We'll just need the bats to wake up.
#FAU 4 - #UM 7 | Top of 6th
The bats are starting to heat up! A 2-run BOMB from freshman Mitchell Hartigan and a solo shot from Gunnar Lambert put 3 more on the board for the Owls as they head into the 6th.— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 28, 2019
#FAU 6 - #UM 16 | FINAL
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 28, 2019
FAU fought hard to make a comeback but fell short to the Hurricanes. The offense and the pitching just weren't there but the Owls look to redeem themselves this Friday in some conference play against FIU.
Head Coach John McCormack:
“Not a good night here at the ballpark for us. Extremely disappointed in the way we pitched, and we had some opportunities offensively … the guys got themselves in some good counts, we had a shot there in the sixth. To make it 7-6, I thought the guys rallied. Credit to Miami, their relief pitching did what it was supposed to do, and we end up on the wrong side of (tonight).
UPDATED SCHEDULE: 2019 FAU Baseball Schedule - FAU Owl's Nest
Tonight was definetly a learning experience for the boys. Hopefully they'll dust themselves off as FIU comes to Boca licking their lips.
Some notable stats from tonight's 16-6 loss to Miami:
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 28, 2019
Montes - 2 H, 2 RBI, 1 R
Hartigan - 1 H, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Lambert - 1 H, 1 HR
Sandberg - (LP) 0.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R
Kostantis - 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB 2 K
O'Connell - 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K
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