Four run seventh not enough as Canes hang on behind pen’s performance The Miami Hurricanes (21-7, 10-2) lived up to their #9 ranking in the polls tonight, coming to Boca Raton and walking away with an 8-5 victory despite a gusty performance late by the Owls. The Canes wasted no time getting on the board as FAU starting pitcher Taylor Everist (2-5) walked the first batter he faced. The result was a sacrifice fly by Scott Lawson that bore the game’s first run. Everist settled thereafter, retiring the next 8-of-9 batters, but the Canes picked up another two in the top of the third as Lawson doubled and was a immediately bought home on a two run blast by catcher Yasmani Grandal. Another long ball in the third by Frankie Ratcliff swelled the lead to 6-0. Dan Scheffler, who was walked twice on the night, connected for FAU (16-12, 7-5) in the bottom of the fourth – placing one over the center field wall – and gave Florida Atlantic their first run before an announced crowd of 1,494. Miami would add two more runs in the top of the sixth behind two singles and a double before the Owls kicked into gear offensively. FAU put together a valiant four run rally in the bottom of the seventh when a lead off walk to Scheffler was followed with singles from David Cassidy and Colby Gratton. After a Miami balk pushed Scheffler across the plate, Nick DelGuidice doubled scoring two. A Raymond Church single scored DelGuidice to conclude the stint. But it would be the last runs scored as the Canes bullpen effectively closed it out. “I think it was a solid performance, but not a good performance by any stretch,” said Owls coach John McCormack. “We have to be better early. The loss marks the third straight for FAU, while Miami has now won six in a row. The two teams will square off again tomorrow night in Miami for game two of the mid-week series. First pitch is 6:30 p.m. at Alex Rodriguez Park. Box Score Game Discussion
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