SERIES THREAD: FAU vs. Monmouth - Mar. 1st-3rd 2019
What: Monmouth (1-5) @ Florida Atlantic (3-6)
When: Friday, March 1st at 6:30pm
Saturday, March 2nd at 4:00pm
Sunday, March 3rd at Noon
Where: FAU Baseball Stadium
Series: With a 41 game history between FAU and Monmouth, the Owls lead 36-5, and 13-1 since John McCormack took over the head coaching job.
Video: CUSA.tv (FEE)
Live Stats: Here
Monmouth Team Site: Here
Projected Starting Pitchers:
Friday
FAU - Blake Sanderson, R-Sr. RHP (1-0, 2.25)
Monmouth - Dan Klepchick, So. RHP (0-1, 1.54)
Saturday
FAU - Ryan Sandberg, R-So. RHP (0-1, 2.89)
Monmouth - Ryan Steckline, So. LHP (0-2, 12.15)
Sunday
FAU - Mike Ruff, Jr. RHP (0-0, 13.50)
Monmouth - Tyler Ksiazek Sr. RHP (0-0, 6.23)
Owls at a Glance
Losers of six straight, the Owls return to Boca for a 12-game home stand.
The previous two games saw the Owls drop a mid-week series to UNF in Jacksonville. While FAU played hard in both contests, their defensive and pitching woes ultimately made their late game comeback efforts fall short.
Pedro Pages had a 9th inning grand slam on Tuesday, which brought the Owls within 2, but the rally was brought to an end on a flyout with a runner on. Wednesday evening had a similar end when Francisco Urbaez, ranked 9th in the conference with a .407 avg., homered in the 9th but two straight putouts killed the FAU rally.
Going forward this season, the Owls will need to see an improvement in the defense. However, defensive mistakes have been a thorn in the side in the young season, including four errors in the last three games. This could very well be due to the immaturity of the team, but hopefully as the season progresses they are able to grow together and buff out these mistakes.
Offensively, the Owls are putting themselves in positions to win, knocking 39 hits in their last three outings. Moreover, FAU is sixth in C-USA in team bating avg with a .285 mark.
Blake Sanderson gets the nod to start on Friday after a no decision after 6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 6 K, and 3 ER in his last outing on February 22nd.
Monmouth at a Glance
Monmouth lost their first five games this season, but earned their first win this Sunday, beating East Carolina 8-5. This saved the Hawks from a sweep against the Pirates.
While the Hawks prevented the sweep in Greenville, they were not as lucky against Penn State. The Nitty Lions swept Monmouth in their opening weekend with a combined score of 14-4.
Struggling early, the Hawks have been outscored 32-13 while hitting just .153.
Monmouth’s catcher, junior Zach Schild, is the only player on the team hitting better than .217 (at .273). Schild also brought in three of the Hawks' nine RBI and their only home run this season.
#Monmouth 2 - #FAU 2 | Bottom of 1st
Gunnar Lambert’s 2 run bomb puts the Owls on the board tying it up with the Hawks— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 1, 2019
#Monmouth 4 - #FAU 8 | Bottom of 7th
Back to back home runs from Eric Rivera and Gunnar Lambert bring the #Owls to an 8-4 lead!— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 2, 2019
#Monmouth 5 - #FAU 8 | FINAL
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 2, 2019
The Owls broke their 6-game losing streak tonight! The bats were hot in Boca Raton after putting up 8 runs including a grand slam and two solo home runs. The Owls seek to keep this same energy going into Saturday’s game
UPDATED SCHEDULE: 2019 FAU Baseball Schedule - FAU Owl's Nest
Currently in Boca Raton: It's 84 degrees with 50% humidity and a slight coastal breeze. ☀️🏖️
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 2, 2019
Sounds like a perfect day to crack a cold one and cheer on #FAU Baseball on the berm!
Ryan Sandberg gets the nod in hopes of giving the Owls a SERIES CLINCHING win over #Monmouth.
#FAU 3 - #Monmouth 0 | Top of 3rd
Andru Summerall drove in a 2-run home run in the bottom of the first, and Gunnar Lambert singled to bring Josey home in the bottom of the 2nd. #Owls now lead 3-0— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 2, 2019
#FAU 7 - #Monmouth 2 | Top of 6th
Francisco Urbaez hit a 2 run homer in the bottom of the 4th to bring the #Owls to 7, and we have managed to hold the Hawks at 2 runs since the 3rd.— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 2, 2019
#FAU 11 - #Monmouth 4 | Top of 8th
Our #Owls put 4 more on the board in the 7th! A couple of defensive changes here headed into the 8th. Michael Schuler replaces Vince Coletti on the mound, Nicholas Toney replaces Pedro Pages at catcher, and BJ Murray replaces Montes at 3rd.— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 2, 2019
OWLS WIN | #FAU 11 - #Monmouth 4
The Owls take the series over the Hawks thanks to our amazing offensive performance! Udie had a great 2 run homer in the 1st to put us on the board, followed by some impressive defensive saves from Sandberg & Urbaez to help us lock down the win pic.twitter.com/KBtyRrCK7t— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 3, 2019
2019 FAU Baseball Schedule - FAU Owl's Nest
Recent Forum Posts
Typos happen.I’m excited to see what this team looks like next…
I find it hilarious that Jackus is spelled wrong in the title
I agree that it is a high buyout, but let’s face it, he is not…
That’s a really high buyout woah. 70% of the contract means it…
I'm sure H-8 (page 4) was in Dusty's contract so White knew and…