SERIES THREAD: FAU @ UAB - April 16-18, 2021
What: UAB (10-21) vs Florida Atlantic (16-16)
When: Fri., Apr. 16th at 4:00 PM
Sat., Apr. 17th at 2:00 PM (DH)
Sun., Apr. 18th at 12:30 PM
Where: Young Memorial Field
Video: CUSA.tv *Subscription Required
Live Stats: Here
UAB Team Site: Here
Series: FAU owns a 14-6 series lead all-time over ODU, although ODU took two of three in Boca Raton the last time they played in 2019.
Projected Starting Pitchers:
FAU - LHP Hunter Cooley (4-3, 3.86)
UAB - TBD
FAU - LHP Matt Sparling (2-2, 4.50)
UAB - TBD
FAU - RHP Dante Visconti (0-2, 8.59)
UAB - TBD
FAU - RHP Javi Rivera (3-0, 5.65)
UAB - TBD
Notes
Owls
FAU finally ended a seven-game losing streak on Sunday, when starting pitcher Javi Rivera pitched a masterful eight-inning performance, fanning seven batters, walking two, and giving up just three hits and no runs. Rivera's performance was one of the lone bright spots of a UAB series that saw the Owls get outscored 25-11.
One of the main storylines of the series was the Owls' inability to hit with runners on base. In total, the Owls left 36 runners on base throughout this series, averaging nine per game. The Owls also batted .217 as a team and struck out 38 times. In comparison, ODU hit .262 and struck out 31 times. The Owls need to get those numbers down if they're going to win this series.
Freshman second baseman Sam Low made his mark on the Owls during last week's series, hitting .462 with an on-base percentage of .500 last weekend. He added two RBIs to his stat line as well, being one of the more impactful members of the team. Freshman outfielder Jalen DeBose also had a breakout series, hitting .375 in three starts.
Right fielder Bobby Morgensen had an on-base percentage of .000 last weekend, striking out five times in 13 at-bats. It got to the point where Coach McCormack started DeBose over Morgensen, so a big storyline this weekend will be if Morgensen is able to break out of that slump or if DeBose will get more playing time.
Caleb Pendleton still has no timeline for his return, so Shane Magrann may get more playing time in this series. In last week's series, he started two games and hit .200.
Blazers
The UAB Blazers come into this game on a six-game losing streak, with their last win coming on April 2, when they defeated Louisiana Tech 9-3. Since then, the Blazers have been outscored 52-13 over that losing streak, including a sweep by Southern Miss that saw them get outscored 27-7.
Last time out, the Blazers lost 12-4 to the Troy Trojans on April 13, with starting pitcher Carson Knight pitching just one inning, allowing three runs and four hits. In total, UAB used 10 different pitchers in that game, with none of them pitching more than an inning, so the majority of UAB's pitching staff is coming into this weekend's series with limited rest.
UAB's most prolific hitter is freshman infielder Chandler Simpson. He is currently hitting .333 with 12 RBis and an on-base percentage of .381. The Blazers aren't known for hitting the deep ball, however, hitting just 16 total as a team while giving up 29. In comparison, Nolan Schanuel and B.J. Murray alone have combined for 18 home runs on the season.
#FAU ⚾️ is BAAAAAACK and ready to start a winning streak against #UAB!
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) April 16, 2021
Starting Lineup ⬇️
SP Hunter Cooley
SS Wilfredo Alvarez
CF @jackowenny
1B @NSchanuel
3B @BJMurray14
RF @bmorgensen11
C @nicholastoney1
2B Sam Low
DH @JaredDeSantolo pic.twitter.com/eRxOj7ZJ34
Wilfredo Alvarez gets things started with a single on the first pitch of the ball game! 🔥
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) April 16, 2021
Let’s get this show on the road! #GoOwls👌#FAU 0 - #UAB 0 | T1 | @LealLaw pic.twitter.com/hgcZ3BUIGZ
Hunter Cooley pitches a clean first inning and we’re still level at 1. 👌#FAU 0 - #UAB 0 | E1 | @LealLaw pic.twitter.com/IM4GBE1rVG
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) April 16, 2021
WHO ELSE??? 🤔@BJMURRAY14 GET HIS 3⃣9⃣TH RBI OF THE SEASON AND GETS THE OWLS ON THE BOARD! 👏#FAU 1 - #UAB 0 | T3 | @LealLaw pic.twitter.com/93fAVtXaPP
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) April 16, 2021
Whelp.... that fifth inning wasn't pretty... 🙁
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) April 16, 2021
The Blazers put 3 runs on the board in the fifth to take a four-run lead.#FAU 1 - #UAB 5 | E5 pic.twitter.com/e03spWw2wG
Steven Loden drives home a run and the Owls are just two runs away from tying this game! 😎
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) April 16, 2021
Let’s complete the comeback! 👌#FAU 3 - #UAB 5 | T9 | @LealLaw pic.twitter.com/MCZ5DeW5CV
🎶STAYIN’ ALIVE, STAYIN’ ALIVE!🎶
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) April 16, 2021
These guys tie the game with back-to-back sac flies and we have a tie game!
#FAU 5 - #UAB 5 | M9 | @LealLaw pic.twitter.com/tuerPxmpg7
EXTRA INNINGS! 👌
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) April 16, 2021
Jackson Spiller SHUTS THE DOOR in the 9th! 🚪#FAU 5 - #UAB 5 | T10 | @LealLaw pic.twitter.com/DWXDvSZ91V
FINAL (10) | #UAB 7 - #FAU 6
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) April 16, 2021
Blazers load the bases and get a crucial hit with 2 outs to walk it off. 😕
Wilfredo Alvarez: 2-4, 2 RS@NSchanuel: 2-4, 1 RBI@BJMurray: 2-4, 2 RBI
NEXT: Sat, April 17 @ 2:00 PM (DH) pic.twitter.com/kkUQT2LzXP
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