FAU (7-3) continued along its heavy home schedule by knocking off Lynn University (7-7) with a score of 13-7 on Wednesday, March 2, in Boca Raton.
Lynn was the first to score with two runs in the top of the first, but FAU answered back with a three-run homer by designated hitter Eddie Cassidy, giving the Owls a 3-2 lead.
In the bottom of the second, the Owls continued to build on their lead, scoring three more runs as second baseman Raymond Church scored a two-run RBI and extended his hitting streak to 19 games. The third run in the inning was scored on a sacrifice fly ball by right fielder Andy Mee, which allowed Church to cross home plate, making the score 6-2.
The Fighting Knights managed to score two runs in the top of the third, but FAU continued to build on its lead as Church knocked in a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth, making the score 7-4. Church finished the day going 3-for-5 with three runs and three RBIs.
“I’m just trying to stick with the approach I ended with last year,” said Church. “Just try to get on base for the guys in the middle of the lineup.”
In the bottom of the sixth, left fielder Alex Hudak smacked a triple to right field, but as he slid into third base, he dislodged the bag from its base. It took a full five minutes to get the bag back in place. Following the mishap, shortstop Nick DelGuidice brought Hudak home on a sacrifice RBI.
FAU continued its scoring streak as first baseman Dan Scheffler drove in an RBI double in the bottom of the seventh.
By the bottom of the eighth, with FAU leading 9-5, center fielder Nathan Pittman slammed the third home run of the game, knocking in two runs. The Owls continued to drive in scores that inning as Mee and pinch hitter Mike Spano drove in RBIs, giving the Owls a comfortable 13-5 lead.
Mee came in to close the game for FAU in the top of the ninth. He struggled to get the third and final out as Lynn managed to score two runs. But their rally attempt was short-lived, as pinch hitter Steven Fernandez hit a fly ball out to left field, giving FAU the 13-7 victory.
“It was another good game where we scored some runs and got momentum going,” said head coach John McCormack. “But I’d like to see us close it out in the ninth a little better. We did get a little sloppy.”
FAU will next play a three-game weekend series against Monmouth University starting on Friday, March 4,at 6:30 p.m. in Boca Raton.
