McCormack still pleased as Owls Take two-of-three in opening Sun Belt series

The Florida Atlantic baseball team dropped the series finale against Troy 10-6 on Sunday afternoon from Riddle-Pace Field. Despite the loss, the Owls will head back to Boca Raton with the series victory, having won two-of-three from the Trojans in the opening weekend of Sun Belt play.

The Owls (8-5, 2-1) fell behind early as the Trojans struck for three runs in the first two innings off FAU starting pitcher Kevin Alexander (1-2). The right-hander lasted five innings but gave up 10 hits and seven earned runs while walking one and striking out one.

The big blow against Alexander came in the bottom of the fifth inning, after the Owls tied the game at 4-4 in the top half of the inning, Miles Hoyle hit an 0-2 pitch over the left field wall for a three-run home run to put the Trojans ahead for good 7-4.

“We didn’t make pitches when we needed to,” said head coach John McCormack. “Alexander was able to wiggle out of some jams, but eventually they got to him. He needs to be better.” The Trojans (6-7, 1-2) were able to score a run in every inning but two, and the Owls were unable to fully take advantage of a season-high four Trojan errors.

“They are a prideful group, and I think we just expected to get hits and win, but they thought otherwise,” McCormack said. “I am still pleased with the series though, any time you can take two games on the road in Troy, which is a tough place to play, it’s a successful weekend.”

Nick DelGuidice continued his hot hitting as the shortstop went 1-for-5 in the game with two RBI. Delguidice’s hitting streak now stands at nine games, the longest for any FAU player this season.

The Owls will start the long trek back to Boca Raton tonight before returning to action on Tuesday night against Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are fresh off a three-game sweep against FIU over the weekend having scored 46 runs in the three games combined against the Golden Panthers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. from FAU Stadium.