Owls Continue C-USA Homestand Against Hilltoppers



What: WKU (13-19, 4-8 C-USA) vs. FAU (21-13, 7-5 C-USA)

When: Thu, Apr 14th @ 6:30 PM
           Fri, Apr 15th @ 6:30 PM
           Sat, Apr 16th @ 12:00 PM           

Where: FAU Baseball Stadium

Video: C-USA TV

Live Stats:Here

WKU Team Site: Here

Series: The Owls enjoy a 33-10 lead and took 2-of-3 in 2021.

Projected Starting Pitchers:

WKU - LHP Devyn Terbrak (5-2, 6.32 ERA)
FAU - LHP Hunter Cooley (4-2, 4.33 ERA)

WKU - TBA
FAU - TBA

WKU - RHP Luke Sinnard (0-0. 2.19 ERA)
FAU - LHP Tyler Burnham (2-0, 3.57 ERA)


Owl Notables

Never trailing until the end, FAU suffered a heartbreaking loss to #2 Miami on Tuesday night that was primarily due to a rough patch of defensive and pitching misques that saw the Hurricanes erase a four run lead to steal the contest 7-6 in the 8th inning.

Regardless, it's a short week for Florida Atlantic, who will now quickly turn their attention to hosting the Hilltoppers for two week day games while concluding the C-USA series on Saturday due to the Easter holiday approaching.

More pitching changes appear to be on the horizon for Friday (game two), as Coach McCormack has chosen to forgo an announcement in lieu of the decision still being made.

After a rocky start, things began to trend positively for starter Tibur Rivero (photo center below), but as of late have trended back in the opposite direction. Against UAB, Rivero threw three frames but gave up five earned runs in a 6-8 loss that was the deal breaker for the series.



Potential replacement candidate Jacob Josey was also doing quite well his two appearances prior to last weekend as well, with just one earned run in 11 innings against UTSA and Rice. But against UAB he was roughed up for five earned runs in just 1.2 innings of action.

This developing storyline is worth keeping an eye on, as it is not clear who would be a new face to potentially emerge in a "trial" setting.

At the plate, the Owls continue to do what they do best, which is aggressive hitting that scores runs. There is no reason to think that there won't be many more this weekend with a slight downgrade in the overall staff coming to town.

Sitting at the top of the conference, first baseman Nolan Schanuel will be looking to hold pace with his impressive .449 hitting mark to drive those efforts.


Hilltopper Notables

Like the Owls, WKU Baseball dropped a mid-week tilt to a ranked opponent, falling to No. 11 Vanderbilt 7-4 on Tuesday night. The Commodores took an early 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, only to see the Hilltoppers reduce the deficit to two runs at 6-4 late. But WKU was unable to complete the comeback.

Last weekend WKU picked up a home series against FIU (7-4, 9-2, 5-6) for their first of the year. Other action thus far includes losses to MTSU (1-2), Charlotte (1-2) and Southern Miss (0-3).

The Hilltoppers are currently in last place in C-USA action hitting (.244), on base percentage (.326) and slugging (.382) as a team, and 10th overall in pitching with a combined 6.68 ERA.

However, there are a couple of players to watch. Alcorn State transfer second baseman Tristan Garcia is a name to watch this weekend for WKU, as he is pacing the squad with a .358 mark at the plate and is in a three way tie for the most hits in league play with 19 to his credit.

Just behind Garcia is the meat and potatoes offering in freshman Ty Batusich, who leads the team in on-base percentage (.426), slugging percentage (.613), home runs (eight), runs (24), RBI (28) and total bases (68).

And the Owls may have a harder time earning free passes this weekend, as WKU 35th in the nation with just 3.47 walks allowed per nine innings.

End 1st:  FAU 0  WKU 3

Rough start for Florida Atlantic, as Cooley gives up a two run shot and another error allows a third run to score for WKU.

Albert lines one down the left field line, but is thrown out being a bit aggressive on the path in an attempt to make a double out of it. Afterwards, they still put two more on and can't convert.

Go Owls 🦉⚾️🧢

End 2nd:  FAU 3  WKU 3

Cooley settles in with a 1-2-3 effort.

Albert's 2nd attempt at a double pays off this time, and it's golden for 2RBI. A throwing error by the Toppers sees him come home to tie it up.

Go Owls 🦉⚾️🧢

End 3rd:  FAU 3  WKU 3

Cooley having a repeat performance of last Friday night so far, dealing away in the 3rd.

Owls put first two on, and they stay there.

Go Owls 🦉⚾️🧢

End 4th:  FAU 4  WKU 3

The Owls take the lead, as DeBose's leads off with a single and is brought in by Rincones' ground out.

Go Owls 🦉⚾️🧢

End 5th:  FAU 4  WKU 3

No change at FAU Baseball Stadium.

Toppers commit their 5th error which allows Kelder to reach, but he is left on.

Cooley with 6 K's now.

Go Owls 🦉⚾️🧢

Looking at the radar, this is the 8:45 forecast. Time to start picking up the pace and try to beat it.

2.5 innings to go, so it's going to be tight.

End 6th:  FAU 4  WKU 3

Owls strand two more - Rincones single, Schanuel double.

Cooley back out for the 7th.

Go Owls 🦉⚾️🧢

End 7th:  FAU 5  WKU 3

Florida Atlantic picks up an insurance run as Dom Presto drives in Pendleton who doubled.

That weather is creeping in - hope it doesn't cause any delays 🙏

Go Owls 🦉⚾️🧢

End 8th:  FAU 5  WKU 3

Cooley pick's up his 8th K on the night.

Owls move quickly in their turn.

Go Owls 🦉⚾️🧢