Scheffler goes 2-for-4 with three RBI

Florida Atlantic scored three runs in the ninth inning en route to a 9-6 victory over New Orleans on Friday night.

"It was a tough game," said head coach John McCormack. "I’m glad we came out on the right end of it."

The Owls (17-13, 8-5) had another strong effort from Andy Mee and Dan Scheffler, who combined to go 5-for-9 with four runs scored and three RBI.

An Eddie Cassidy single drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning.

R.J. Alvarez (2-1) earned the win by pitching 4.2 innings of relief.  The freshman gave up two runs (one earned) with no walks and six strikeouts.  Alvarez relieved starter Ryan Garton, who gave up seven hits and four earned runs in only 3.1 innings of work.

"He came in and did a great job for us," said McCormack of Alvarez’s outing. "He kept them at bay and kept us in striking distance."

The Privateers (9-19, 1-12) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Michael Petello scored on a throwing error by Scheffler. FAU responded in the top of the third behind a Raymond Church RBI double which plated Nick Delguidice and tied the game at 1-1.

After the Owls scored one in the top of the fourth to take a 2-1 lead, New Orleans struck for three in the bottom half of the inning to chase Garton out of the game.

The Owls responded in the top of the fifth, scoring three runs, to retake a one-run lead. However, two runs in the bottom half of the inning gave the Privateers the lead again at 6-5.

Church’s RBI ground out in the sixth tied the game again at 6-6 until Florida Atlantic broke the game open with a three-run ninth.

The series continues tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. with Mike Gipson (5-1, 3.09) on the mound for the Owls. John Pivach (0-3, 6.470) will start for New Orleans.

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