FAU (10-3) extended its winning streak to six games as they defeated Monmouth University (2-4) in a 9-5 sweep on Sunday, March 6 in Boca Raton.

For the fifth straight game, FAU came out scoring in the first inning as left fielder Alex Hudak drove in a two run RBI double to take a 2-0 lead.

MU answered with one run in the next inning but the Owls brought in three more runs in the bottom of the third as first baseman Dan Scheffler, shortstop Nick DelGuidice, and Hudak drove in RBIs.

With the Owls leading 5-1 going into the top of the fourth, MU managed to tie up the game as FAU starting pitcher R.J. Alvarez allowed the Hawks to score four runs. Alvarez struggled through his three innings of play allowing five runs and three walks, but still managed to strike out four batters.

The Hawks rally was short lived as the Owls scored two more runs in the bottom of the fifth to give them a 7-5 lead. The first run came as a result of a wild pitch by MU pitcher Dan Smith which brought designated hitter Corey Keller across the plate. The second run came off an RBI double by DelGuidice.

MU struggled to get runners on bored against FAU relief pitcher Josh Gonzaga who pitched five innings, while allowing only three hits, no runs, and one walk, to go along with three strikeouts.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, FAU second baseman Raymond Church was the last player in the lineup to not have a hit. With a 22 game hitting streak on the line, Church managed to knock an RBI double to deep left field.

“The hitting streak was in the back of my mind,” said Church. “It was really the guys in the dugout cheering me on that got the hit.”

Andy Mee came to the mound from right field to close the game out for FAU by getting three quick outs to seal a 9-5 victory.

“I was really happy with how we kept tacking on runs throughout the game,” said head coach John McCormack. “I think we are in good shape for Tuesday.”

FAU will continue their long home stand as they take on Virginia Tech on Tuesday, March 8 at 6:30 pm in Boca Raton.