SERIES THREAD: FAU vs. UTSA May 10th-12th, 2019
What: #24 Florida Atlantic (32-16, 17-7) @ UTSA (35-25, 10-13)
When: Friday, May 10th at 7pm EST
Saturday, May 11th at 5pm EST
Sunday, May 12th at 12:30pm EST
Where: Roadrunner Field
Series History: The Owls hold a 9-6 all-time advantage over the Roadrunners
Video: CUSA.tv *FEE
Live Stats: Here
UTSA Team Site: Here
Projected Starting Pitchers
Friday
FAU- Blake Sanderson, R-Sr. RHP (7-2, 3.74)
UTSA- Karan Patel, Sr. RHP (3-5, 3.00)
Saturday
FAU- Mike Ruff, Jr. RHP (5-3, 5.94)
UTSA- TBA
Sunday
FAU- TBA
UTSA- TBA
Owls at a Glance:
The Owls pulled out a great series win against league leaders Southern Miss last weekend, despite dropping the final game of the three-game set. Andru Summerall won Co-Conference Hitter of the Week for his 6 hits, 7 runs, and 9 RBIs in the series.
FAU is now second in the conference with a 17-7 mark, and are still ranked at #24 in the nation and #31 in RPI despite a two-game losing streak. Most recently, the Owls collapsed late to Sam Houston State, falling 12-11.
While the Owls will look to upend UTSA in hopes of regaining the top spot in C-USA, FAU has already clinched a spot in the C-USA Championship Tournament with Southern Miss. FAU and USM are the only two teams to have clinched so far.
Coach John McCormack will continue his recent trend of having ace Blake Sanderson start the series opener, with rising star Mike Ruff taking the mound in the middle match. As we have seen in recent weeks, Sunday's SP is to be announced.
The Owls have put themselves in striking distance of first place thanks to their solid hitting in conference play. As it stands, FAU is first in the conference in batting avg (.300), slugging pct (.452), runs scored (345), hits (515), RBI’s (323), and home runs (50). UTSA outranks FAU in two offensive categories, OBP (.398), and doubles (105). Still, FAU is not far behind with have an OBP of .392 and 91 doubles this season.
This series in San Antonio caps off a long seven game road trip through the deep South, while being the final regular-season away series for the Owls.
Roadrunners at a glance:
The UTSA Roadrunners currently sit 8th in the conference with a record of 10-13. The team split their series against Marshall, but were rained out from game three. This did not stop the 'Runners from coming away victories in mid-week game against in-state rival Incarnate Word, beating the Cardinals 6-4.
It is worth noting that UTSA is one of the three clubs that have beaten league leaders Southern Miss in a series. The other two being FAU last week in Hattiesburg and FIU early in the season in Miami.
Despite their low ranking, UTSA has a handful of strong offensive players. Senior OF Ryan Stacey leads the team with a .368 AVG, good for third in the conference. Senior INF Bryan Arias leads the team with 8 home runs while fellow infielder Bryan Sturges is the team’s top run producer with 40 on the season.
The Roadrunner’s ace, Karan Patel will get the nod for Friday. The senior's 3.00 ERA is certainly nothing to shake your head at, as it is the second best mark in C-USA. The only advantage the Owls pitching staff hold over UTSA is in strike outs looking. FAU’s Mike Ruff currently has 22 K’s looking while Patel has 20.
After their series against FAU, the Roadrunners will play the Charlotte 49ers in North Carolina for their last regular season conference series.
#FAU is back in action at #UTSA with first pitch coming in at a cool 65'. Through one complete, and nothing doing for either team, although the Roadrunners put two on before Sanderson entices a double-play ends the threat. #GoOwls! 👌 pic.twitter.com/PFhlUODPDq
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) May 10, 2019
End 2nd | The #Owls see back-to-back singles from Morgensen and Urbaez, but they are left on. After a lead-off single, Sanderson makes quick work of the Roadrunners in his second frame. #FAU 0 #UTSA 0
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) May 10, 2019
End 3rd | Owls go 1-2-3. But the Roadrunners beat out a ground ball to third, advance the runner on a wild pitch, and see him come home after an error in left field. #FAU 0 #UTSA 1
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) May 10, 2019
End 4th | Three up three down for the Owls, who have now registered 5 K's at the plate. The Roadrunners connect for their fourth hit but leave the runner on as Sanderson notches his 3rd K. #FAU 0 #UTSA 1
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) May 11, 2019
End 5th | Lambert's two out double sees the streak of nine straight Owls retired end, but he is left on after the third fly-out of the frame. The Roadrunners put two on with two out, and Sanderson works out of the jam to keep it a one run contest. #FAU 0 #UTSA 1
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) May 11, 2019
End 6th | A lead-off walk to Rivera, and two out pass to Hartigan, can't produce any fruit for the Owls as pages lines out to right. The Roadrunners place one on and he is stranded while Sanderson gets next two. So far, the Owls with just three hits. #FAU 0 #UTSA 1 pic.twitter.com/A3BBwjOcmO
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) May 11, 2019
Top 7th | Another lead-off walk for the Owls, but a stellar catch in the outfield by the Roadrunners robs what would have brought in a run. One away, as UTSA goes to the pen with SP Patel at 116 pitches. GLAD to see him depart! Let's #GoOwls! 👌
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) May 11, 2019
Mid 7th | OWLS LEAD! A bloop single by Alvarez and walk pay dividends as Summerall's 2RBI single gives the visitors control! Coletti now on the hill for Sanderson (6IP, 7H, 1R, 2BB, 4K) after the stretch. #FAU 2 #UTSA 1
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) May 11, 2019
End 7th | Coletti retires the first two before a dribbler gets past third. However, he responds by setting down the next batter via a fly to keep the GOOD GUYS in charge! #FAU 2 #UTSA 1 pic.twitter.com/lTaGFR2zXh
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) May 11, 2019
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