2020 SERIES THREAD: Florida vs FAU - March 3rd & April 21st
What: No. 1 Florida (11-0) vs FAU (7-3)
When: Wednesday, March 3rd, 2020 @ 7:00 PM
Where: Ballpark of the Palm Beaches
Video: CUSA.tv *Fee
Live Stats: Here
Gators Team Site: Here
Series: The Gators enjoy a 21-9 mark over the Owls.
Projected Starting Pitchers
FAU: LHP Marc DeGusipe (0-0, 10.12)
UF: LHPJordan Butler (0-0, 0.00)
Notes
Gators
Florida is the consensus #1 team in the nation according to all major NCAA baseball polls aside from Baseball America. However, it is worth noting that they have had their fair share of close games en route to a perfect 11-0 mark for only the third time in program history (1989, 2002).
Aside from fellow C-USA member Marshall, who the Gators swept (9-2, 10-0, 15-8), the Owls may find some comfort in other series' results. These include a narrow midweek contest final of 4-3 against Jacksonville, a five run total difference over Miami (2-1, 7-4, 5-3) in three games, and 3-2 and 10-7 wins over former Sun Belt foe Troy in weekend action.
That said, Florida entered the week tied for 19th nationally with 13 home runs this season, and its .451 slugging percentage ranked 37th nationally to start the week.
UF’s 2.62 team earned run average ranks tied for 34th nationally, but unlike the Owls's the bullpen has been the strength. Through 11 games, relivers are 6-0, with four saves, and have combined for a 1.93 ERA across 51.1 innings.
The Gators have drawn 61 walks in their first 11 games, a total that was tied for 34th nationally to start the week.
Owls
The Owls are coming off a less than stellar showing in Tallhassee against #4 Texas Tech, and #12 FSU, which they fell to by final marks of 7-1, 5-1, 16-6. The starting rotation of RHP Corey Ireson, RHP Jacob Josey, and RHP Dante Visconti did relatively well, however, the bullpen had some challenges, while combining for a 42.44 collective ERA.
Offensively, the team will be looking to rebound quickly after posting a team batting average of .135 for the series. The lone sparks of note were a pair of back-to-back home runs to begin the final contest which set up an early exit for Florida State starter Bryce Hubbart.
Outfielders Mitchell Hartigan (.333) and Bobby Morgensen (.316) are now the only Owls above the .300 threshold at the plate, and have eight and 10 RBI, respectively.
Morgensen also leads the squad with 12 hits, 10 runs scored and 20 total bases, and Hartigan is tops on the team with a .576 slugging percentage.
FAU has faced Florida as a number one team in their three last meetings, while being victorious in two of the contests. The Owls won 13-11 in 2019, and pulled off a 7-4 victory on June 4th of the 2018 Gainesville Regional.
No doubt a tough stretch. But if we want to be considered one of the big boys, this is our chance to act like it.
🗣 IT’S A GREAT NIGHT FOR BASEBALL!#FAU vs. #1 #UF is just TEN minutes away. pic.twitter.com/ObY0zfIW3n
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 3, 2020
💥BOOM!💥
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 4, 2020
*catches breath*
Owls give up 3 runs in the top of the opening inning, but BJ Murray hits this two-run blast to pull #FAU within one!
Marc DeGusipe returns to the mound after tossing 31 pitches in the first.#UF leads 3-2. pic.twitter.com/VdKIu65CKD
FAU already has six hits tonight.
TIE BALL GAME!
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 4, 2020
Wenstrom opens the inning with a stand-up triple deep to left-center field.
Alvarez brings him home moments later with this single, leveling #FAU with #UF at 3 as we enter the third inning. pic.twitter.com/R5unQZQrWo
After a 1-2-3 second inning from DeGusipe, the true freshman from Tampa got unlucky in the third as #UF retakes the lead single and an RBI ground out.#FAU was 90 feet away from making it a one run game again, but a strikeout ends the Owls' threat.
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 4, 2020
#1 Gators lead 5-3, T4th.
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