SERIES THREAD: FAU vs. Illinois - Feb. 22nd-24th 2019
What: Illinois (3-0) @ Florida Atlantic (3-1)
When: Friday, Feb 22nd at 6:30pm
Saturday, Feb 23rd at 4:00pm
Sunday, Feb 24th at Noon
Where: FAU Baseball Stadium
Series: The Owls and The Fighting Illini are tied up with a 2-2 all-time series record
Video: CUSA.tv (FEE)
Live Stats: Here
Illinois Team Site: Here
Projected Starting Pitchers:
Friday
FAU - Blake Sanderson, R-Sr. RHP (1-0, 0.00)
Illinois - Quinn Snarskis, Sr. RHP (0-0, 4.91)
Saturday
FAU - Ryan Sandberg, R-So. RHP (0-0, 2.08)
Illinois - Andy Fisher, R-Sr. LHP (0-0, 3.18)
Sunday
FAU - Mike Ruff, Jr. RHP (0-0, 5.79)
Illinois - Cryillo Watson Jr. RHP (1-0, 0.00)
Owls at a Glance
Coming off a tough 11-4 loss at Miami this past Wednesday, the Owls return home this weekend for a 3-game set against Illinois.
Coach John McCormack is working with a very young team this season and it is quickly becoming evident that there will be a learning curve as his squad adjusts the speed of DI Baseball. However, it is still very early in the season and there is plenty of time to remedy some of the defensive mistakes that seem to be plagued the Owls against UM.
After this weekend, the Owls are headed to Jacksonville for a quick, two game series against UNF. After that, they’re headed back to Boca Raton to host Monmouth for another weekend series starting March 1st.
Illinois at a Glance
The Fighting Illini travel to Boca Raton after sweeping their opponents in a tournament hosted by Wake Forest. There, the Illini easily handled Georgetown before beating the Demon Deacons, who're ranked #20 in the nation according to D1Baseball.com. Illinois finished the tournament strong with a shutout of Sacred Heart.
The pitching staff, which returned 98% of its starts and 97% of its wins from a year ago, left Wake Forest with a 1.33 ERA and .179 batting average against. The bullpen was brilliant, going 11 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run and striking out 13.
Illinois will use the same pitching rotation as last weekend: Snarskis, Fisher, and Watson. The trio combined to go 1-0 with a 2.35 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings last weekend.
Like FAU, Illinois is projected to finish third in their conference, behind Minnesota and Michigan.
Blake Sanderson gets us underway for #FAU vs. #Illinois! Such a beautiful night to catch a game on the berm! 🌴⚾️🌴
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 22, 2019
Our @LexiCastrillon is on hand again to provide updates of the Owls’ bid to bounce back from Wednesday’s loss.#GoOwls & #BeatIllinois pic.twitter.com/8wrR6tSFUp
#Illinois 2 - #FAU 2 | End of 2nd
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 23, 2019
The Illini got on the board with a two-out, two-run homer from Jeff Korte. Owls answer back with a pair of RBI singles, the first from Alvarez to bring home Urbaez, then Rivera to bring home Alvarez, who stole second to get in scoring position.
#Illinois 2 - #FAU 4 | End of 3rd
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 23, 2019
Owls take the lead via an RBI single from Summerall, bringing home Pages. That forces the Illini to call on the bullpen early to pull Snarskis. Montes scores on a wild pitch just moments later.
#Illinois 3 - #FAU 6 | End of 6th
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 23, 2019
TWO RUN HOMER FROM GUNNAR LAMBERT! Owls now with a three-run lead over the Illini.
Y'all think Gunnar is pumped!? pic.twitter.com/wdsTdijRcx
#Illinois 3 - #FAU 6 | Middle of 7th
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 23, 2019
Vince Coletti takes over for Blake Sanderson, who exits after six stellar innings of work.
Well done Sandy! 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/s4SXeLqwBR
#Illinois 3 - #FAU 6 | Top of 9th
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 23, 2019
Here comes Zach Schneider! The second team All-American will look to SLAM the DOOR on the Illini. pic.twitter.com/iNXZuir5Zh
#Illinois 6 - #FAU 6 | Top of the 9th
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 23, 2019
Wow. Schneider gives up a three-run HR to Korte, and we have a tie ball game. Korte owns 5 of the 6 Illini RBIs.
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