FAU is off to a 3 – 0 start this season after sweeping its opening series by winning game three vs Hofstra University on Sunday in Boca Raton.
It was FAU that got things started in the bottom of the third, taking a 1 – 0 lead when second baseman Raymond Church connected on an RBI double bringing home third baseman Joey Burkhalter. Church extended his hitting streak to 12 games.
Hofstra managed to rally in the top of the fourth to take a 2 – 1 lead but it was short lived as the Owls answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning.
The first came from Nick DelGuidice who knocked a line drive double to right field. Following the run, Hofstra right-handed pitcher Rob Kumbatovic walked catcher Mike Spano which lead to Burkhalter’s two run RBI double giving FAU a 3 – 2 lead.
On the mound for the Owls, sophomore Jake Meiers made his debut as a starter pitching five innings, with two strikeouts, two walks, and three runs allowed. Meiers managed to get out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the fifth and preserve the Owls 4-3 lead.
“I thought he was very good,” said head coach John McCormack. “The fifth inning I had one foot out of the dugout ready to take Meiers out of the game, but I decided to see what would happen and he came up big.”
Hofstra continued to struggle getting a jump on FAU as the Owls widened their lead 6 – 3 in the bottom of the sixth on a RBI by Burkhalter and an RBI sacrifice fly by center fielder Colby Gratton. Burkhalter had a key game as he finished the day 3 for 4 with one run and three RBIs.
By the next inning Hofstra managed to score one run but FAU continued to have control of the game as DelGuidice scored an RBI to bring Eddie Cassidy to the plate who was hit by a pitch during his at bat. DelGuidice also had an outstanding game as he went 3 for 4 with two runs and two RBIs.
Continuing in the seventh, Catcher Mike Albaladejo, who came in to pinch hit for Spano in the bottom of the sixth, hit a sacrifice fly deep to left field which allowed Hudak to make a dash for home giving FAU an 8 – 4 lead.
FAU’s win was sealed thanks to quick innings by pitchers Hugh Adams who pitched in the eighth, and Andy Mee who closed out the game in the ninth.
“University of Florida is an unbelievably talented team,” said McCormak on FAU’s next matchup. “We just have to go out there and do exactly what we did today.”
FAU will look to continue their winning streak as they travel to Jupiter to play the University of Florida on Tuesday, February 22 at 6:30 pm. The game will also be televised on Fox Sports Florida.
