FAU improves to 3-0 in extra-inning games this season

Florida Atlantic got a bases loaded walk from Anthony Mesa with two outs in the 10th inning to earn a 4-3 victory over Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday night at Swanson Stadium.

Mesa was behind in the count 0-2 but battled back to earn the walk and force in Dan Scheffler as the go-ahead run from third. Andy Mee came on to close the game in the bottom of the 10th to earn his eighth save of the season.

The victory is the fifth in a row for FAU as they move to nine games over .500 for the first time this season.

The Eagles (23-13) took an early lead in the second inning when Alex Lozada connected on a two-run double off FAU starter Taylor Everist to vault FGCU on top 2-0.

The Owls (23-14) responded in the next half inning with an RBI single from Mee. The right fielder connected on his 32nd RBI of the season to bring FAU within 2-1.

FAU tied the game in the fourth with back-to-back doubles by Eddie Cassidy and Nick Delguidice.  The RBI was the 34th of the season for the Owls shortstop.

In the fifth, Dan Scheffler’s outstanding season continued with an RBI double to plate Raymond Church and give FAU a 3-2 lead.  The RBI is Scheffler’s 46th of the season. The West Palm Beach native finished the game 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.

Everist (2-6) had one of his most effective start of the season but earned a no decision. The right-hander lasted 5.2 innings, his longest outing since Feb. 26 against Missouri, and gave up just six hits and two earned runs with two walks and two strikeouts.

FAU couldn’t hold the lead in the eighth, as Ryan Bernal gave up a two-out RBI double to Tim Roberson to tie the game at 3-3. It was the first earned run given up by Bernal since March 24 against Cornell.

Mesa’s walk in the 10th was the first time the centerfielder reached base safely in his first game back from a hand injury.

The Owls will be back in action on Friday when they return to Sun Belt play and begin a weekend series on the road against Louisiana-Monroe. First pitch in game one is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. from Warhawk Field.

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