FAU (5-3) managed to avoid the three game sweep as it defeated Stony Brook University (2-1) by a score of 12-4 in game three on Sunday, Feb. 27 in Boca Raton.
Stony Brook started with a 4-1 lead going into the bottom of the of the third, but FAU stepped up to avoid a repeat of the last two games as they scored five runs in the inning and took the lead for the first time in the series.
The first two runs came on RBI singles from second baseman Raymond Church and left fielder Alex Hudak. The next three scores came from a three-run RBI double by third baseman Joey Burkhalter which gave FAU the 6-4 lead after three innings.
Going into the top of the fourth, right-handed pitcher Paul Davis (2-0) came in to relieve starting pitcher Josh Gonzaga. Davis had a spectacular game as he pitched a solid six innings, allowing only two hits, no runs, one walk, while striking out eight batters.
“Failure is not an option,” said Davis. “I didn’t think I was going to end up pitching as long as I went, but I’m glad I did.”
In the bottom of the fourth, Andy Mee came out of a series-long slump as he put up a two-run homer giving FAU an 8-4 advantage. Mee ended the day going two for three with two runs and four RBIs.
“I was really shocked with how we played on offense for the last two games,” said Mee. “I don’t know what happened but that’s not us.”
By the bottom of the seventh inning, the SBU bullpen began to fall apart as FAU went through its entire lineup. Designated hitter Joshua Mason came in to start the inning as the relief pitcher, but loaded the bases.
He then walked catcher Mike Albaladejo, hit Mee with a pitch, and walked pinch hitter Corey Keller which forced three runners across home plate putting easy runs on the board.
With SBU trailing 11-4, Anthony Goebel came in to relieve Mason, but a wild pitch brought Albaladejo home giving the Owls a 12-4 runaway lead.
Davis continued to pitch as he came out to close the game in the top of the ninth getting an easy three outs as he struck out the last batter to seal the win for FAU.
“We came back to salvage the series,” said head coach John McCormack. “We need to use this win as a spring board and start playing better baseball.”
FAU will play Northeastern University on Tuesday, March 1 at 6:30pm in Boca Raton.
