GAME THREAD: FAU vs. UF - March 3, 2021
What: No. 21 Florida Atlantic (6-1) vs No. 6 Florida (6-2)
When: Wednesday, March 3 at 6:00 PM
Where: Florida Ballpark
Video: SECN+
Live Stats:Here
Florida Team Site: Here
Series: UF owns a 22-9 edge over the Owls in the all-time series, although Bobby Morgensen's grand slam propelled the Owls to a 13-11 victory last time the two times the programs met in Gainesville.
Projected Starting Pitchers:
FAU - TJ Stuart (0-1, 99.00 ERA)
UF - Garrett Milchin (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Notes
Owls
FAU Baseball is heading to Gainesville with a 6-1 record and some national attention. The Owls were ranked on three different polls after their series sweep of Seton Hall, including the No. 21 spot on D1Baseball's poll.
The Owls clinched their sweep of the Pirates on Sunday, Feb. 21 with a 10-4 win. Matt Sparling dominated that game, striking out 10 batters and only allowing three hits and a run. Sparling had a scare in the third inning when he got hit by a line drive, but he continued on after an evaluation from the athletic trainers. Mitchell Hartigan also had a stellar game of his own, going 2-4 with 4 RBIs.
Bobby Morgensen is questionable for Wednesday's game with a lower leg contusion. "I don't know," head coach John McCormack said of Morgensen's status for the Owls' matchup against the Gators. "I would think so, but he's going to get treatment before and after, so we'll see."
TJ Stuart will take the mound for the Owls in their showdown against Florida. The graduate transfer allowed four earned runs in FAU's lone loss this season.
FAU has maintained their status as one of the highest scoring teams in baseball. The Owls currently ranked seventh in the nation in scoring with 74 runs through seven games. In regards to homers, McCormack's ballclub ranks sixth in the nation with 15.
Gators
The Florida Gators are coming into this game ranked at No. 6 in the country. Last time out, they defeated Samford in a 10-9 thriller off of a walk-off single from Jacob Young.
The Gators' lone two losses on the season came against the No. 9 Miami Hurricanes, which included a 13 inning shootout that ended in a 10-9 win for Miami, who were down 8-3 at one point of the ballgame.
Expect Garrett Milchin to start Wednesday's ballgame for the hosts. Milchin only pitched two innings in his last start against North Florida, allowing three hits and one unearned run, while striking out three batters.
It's a go from Gainesville! 🦉🐊
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 3, 2021
Wilfredo Alvarez led things off for the Owls with a single, B.J. Murray followed it up with a single of his own!
Runners on the corners and no outs for @NSchanuel. Go get 'em Owls 😋#FAU 0 - #UF 0 | T1 | @LealLaw pic.twitter.com/pK2caViWj3
Mitchell Hartigan sent home Wilfredo Alvarez on a sacrifice fly and TJ Stuart collected two strikeouts, giving FAU a 1-0 lead after one inning of play.
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 3, 2021
Keep it up, Owls! 💪#FAU 1 - 0 #UF | T2 | @LealLaw pic.twitter.com/JmCtcjdVaF
Whelp, that's not good... 🤕
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 3, 2021
TJ Stuart gives up a two-run shot and the Owls are now down a run after two innings.#FAU 1 - #UF 2 | T3 | pic.twitter.com/HWJmwpYdV7
The Owls were THIS close to taking the lead... 😬
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 4, 2021
B.J. Murray tied the game up with an RBI double and @mitchhartigan24 was SO close to bringing him home to take the lead.#FAU 2 - #UF 2 | E3| @LealLaw pic.twitter.com/o6O0ShiwiH
TJ Stuart with that NASTY breaking ball! 😍
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 4, 2021
Stuart now has 7⃣ strikeouts through four innings of play! Keep cranking up the heat, TJ! 🔥#FAU 2 - #UF 2 | E4 | @LealLaw pic.twitter.com/T1OrroeZBY
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