Needing a series victory to position itself for a postseason tournament berth, FAU won a critical game Thursday night against FIU by a final score of 9-5. The FAU bats were hot and Mike Gipson turned in his second straight shutout performance in long relief.

William Block and David Wilson each homered and had three hits to pace the Owls’ offense. Block reached safely all five times he came to the plate, finishing 3-for-3 with his eighth homer, while scoring three times and drving in three RBI.

The Owls (28-13, 11-16 Sun Belt) can assure themselves of spot in the league tournament with two more wins over FIU tommorow and Saturday.

FIU's Lamar Guy hit a solo homerun and Tim Jobe a 2-run double to help the Golden Panthers rally from a 5-2 deficit to tie the game in the middle innings.

David Wilson hit a solo homer in the sixth and Block added one in the seventh to extend the two-run lead to four.

In relief of starter Adam Morrison (3-2), former starter Mike Gipson appeared in the sixth with FAU leading 7-5 and proceeded to strike out five of the first six FIU batters he faced. Gipson finished with six K’s and threw four scoreless innings – almost identical to his numbers last Friday in a winning effort at Arkansas State .

Game Two is scheduled for a 6:30PM EST start tommorow night at FAU Stadium.


Source:  FAU Media Relations