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SERIES THREAD: Alabama @ FAU - Feb 22-24, 2013

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SERIES THREAD: Alabama @ FAU - Feb 22-24, 2013




What:      Alabama (4-0) at Florida Atlantic (3-1)

When:      Fri,  Feb 22nd at 6:30 PM
                Sat, Feb 23rd at 4:00 PM
                Sun, Feb 24th at 1:00 PM


Where:    FAU Baseball Stadium


Live Stats: Here


Series:      FAU holds a 4-2 advantage all-time over Alabama, having swept three games from the Crimson Tide last season. The two teams previously clashed at the 2002 NCAA Regional in Tuscaloosa, where the Owls advanced to a Super Regional.

Projected Starting Pitchers:

Friday:      FAU - LHP Austin Gomber (1-0, 3.00 ERA, 6 K, 0 BB)
                UA- RHP Charley Sullivan (0-0, 6.23 ERA, 5 K, 4 BB)

Saturday:  FAU - RHP Jake Meiers (1-0, 3.60 ERA, 3 K, 2 BB)
                UA- LHP Jon Keller (1-0, 6.75 ERA, 8 K, 1 BB)

Sunday:    FAU - RHP Jeremy Strawn (0-0, 3.00 ERA, 4 K, 1 BB)
                UA - RHP Spencer Turnbull (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 K, 2 BB)






Florida Atlantic opens a three game series against Alabama on Friday night after dropping a 5-4 decision to No. 20 Miami in extra innings earlier this week.

The Owls led for a majority of the contest, but poor execution and untimely hitting resulted in the team's first loss of the year.

"It was a team effort - the good and the bad," McCormack said. "There was a lot of things that we left out on the table."

FAU (3-1) will now look to regroup against an Alabama (4-0) squad that is undefeated on the season. The Crimson Tide are fresh off a 10-8 defeat of No. 21 Southern Miss and are playing a strong brand of baseball.

Last season, FAU was able to shock the college baseball world with a historic sweep of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, and this weekend they will be trying to duplicate those same results.

McCormack understands the importance of the series and emphasized that the team's one goal will be to come out on top.

"We have just got to continue to play well and win games. We're a good baseball team, and they (Alabama) know that," McCormack said.

The Owls will hand the ball to sophomore Austin Gomber (pictured above) on Friday night to ensure a strong start.

Gomber compiled an efficient performance last weekend, picking up a win in six innings of work against Cincinnati. The lefty will be leaned on heavily Friday night, as FAU is experiencing some availability issues in the bullpen.

After back-to-back extra innings games, McCormack would like to rest some of his relievers, meaning Gomber will be asked to work into the later innings of the game.

"My biggest concern is we're a little thin in the bullpen on Friday. Alabama is smart, they know whats going on," McCormack said.

Bo Logan is an individual McCormack mentioned that could see extended action in relief this weekend, while Andrew Archer and Brett Nizamoff should be brought in for relief. Archer was the closer for Broward College last season, so McCormack feels confident in his abilities.

Jake Meiers will take the mound on Saturday for FAU while Jermey Strawn will get the nod on Sunday.

Alabama will counter the Owl's starters with a talented pitching trio of their own. After opening the season as the regular Sunday starter, senior Charley Sullivan will start the opening game of the series on Friday night.

Sullivan was moved up in the rotation earlier this week, while sophomore Spencer Turnbull's duties where was shifted from Friday to Sunday.

The change may appear to be a tactical one, but according to McCormack it shouldn't warrant any concern. FAU's batters will continue to stand in the box and look for their pitch.

Outfielder Geoff Jimenez has just three hits this season for the Owls, but two of them have been extra base efforts. In the loss to Miami, Jimenez connected on a double and is now hitting .600 on the year. Left fielder Tyler Rocklin connected on FAU's second home run of the season against Miami and was 3-for-6.

Alabama is hitting .299 this season and has outscored opponents 35-20 through the first four games. Catcher Brett Booth leads the team with a .636 batting average and is carrying a three-game hit streak. The Crimson Tide are a perfect 10-of-10 this season when stealing bases and poses a lineup full of players that can run. Shortstop Mikey White was named SEC Freshman of the Week last week and is hitting .467 this year.

"They are coming down here with the eyes that they better play well cause these guys are good regardless of the fact that we aren't in the SEC," McCormack said. "Everybody knows what FAU brings to the table, so they are going to be ready to play."
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Re: Series Preview: Alabama @ FAU - Feb 22-24, 2013

Beat BAMA! sweep them again! I'd be happy with two out of three.
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Re: Series Preview: Alabama @ FAU - Feb 22-24, 2013

Game 1:

E-2

FAU with a 2-0 lead. A safety squeeze and past ball gets the Owls on the board.
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Re: Series Preview: Alabama @ FAU - Feb 22-24, 2013

Game 1:

E-5

Owls leading 2-1. Gomber with an impressive state line (5 K's, 1 H, 2 BB) so far.
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Re: Series Preview: Alabama @ FAU - Feb 22-24, 2013

Gomber = Drafted.

Good thing we have him through his junior year for sure…….

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Re: Series Preview: Alabama @ FAU - Feb 22-24, 2013

Andrew Archer now in for Gomber, surrenders a run in his first inning (7th) and the Tide has the bags loaded with NO outs in the top of the 8th.

Ugh.

UA 2  FAU 2
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Re: Series Preview: Alabama @ FAU - Feb 22-24, 2013

Bo Logan gets the call out of the pen, but the Tide pick up another three.

Andrews credited with them all.

Owls to the plate in the bottom of the 8th…need to get hot:

UA 5  FAU 2
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Re: Series Preview: Alabama @ FAU - Feb 22-24, 2013

Should have kept Gomber in.
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Re: Series Preview: Alabama @ FAU - Feb 22-24, 2013

Nothing doing…

Three outs remain for the Owls to notch at least three runs, or the first game is going to the Tide.

End 8th:

UA 5  FAU 2
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Re: Series Preview: Alabama @ FAU - Feb 22-24, 2013

Logan keeps the Owls within three in the top half of the 9th:

UA 5  FAU 2

Rocklein, Keller, Santiago due up…
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