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FAU coach John McCormack is choosing to add Bo Logan and Austin Gomber to the Owls' weekend rotation, moving Jake Meiers to the midweek. (OwlAccess.com photo)

Juggling the rotation

A highly successful weekend to open the season isn't stopping FAU coach John McCormack from tinkering with his pitching rotation for this weekend's home-opening series against Manhattan.

Originally published on 2/23/2012

by Chuck King

BOCA RATON - A season-opening weekend sweep at Alabama wasn't enough to keep FAU baseball coach John McCormack from tinkering with his rotation.

Instead of simply adding one pitcher to last week's three man rotation to comprise the four starters the Owls will need in this weekend's four-game series against Manhattan, McCormack is putting two new arms in the rotation.

The three earned runs Bo Logan allowed out of the bullpen in one inning of work last weekend were more than any other Owls pitcher. Freshman Austin Gomber, a 6-foot-5 freshman left-hander, didn't pitch at all. Yet McCormack announced on Wednesday that Logan will pitch the first game of Saturday's doubleheader and Gomber will throw on Sunday.

“I definitely didn't think I'd get the start after Alabama,” said Logan, who last started a game nearly two years ago as a high school senior before undergoing ligament replacement surgery. “I'm just going to go out there and try to redeem myself.”

Ryan Garton will still start Friday's game and Jeremy Strawn, last week's Sunday starter, will start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

Jake Meiers, who allowed one earned run on seven hits in six innings last Saturday, will become the midweek starter for the Owls.

The lanky right-hander excelled in that roll last season, defeating Miami and Central Florida.

“He's a great match-up against some of those schools,” McCormack said. “He keeps guys off balance and he's had success in that role.”

Meiers (1-0, 1.50) will likely get work this weekend in relief of Garton on Friday, which should allow him to be ready to start the Owls' game at Miami on Wednesday. He would also be in line to start games against Florida, Fordham, Miami again, and Central Florida in the weeks that follow.

Setting aside the move from the weekend rotation, Meiers said he's looking forward to facing some of the more highly regarded schools as the midweek guy.

“I love it,” he said. “A start is a start. As long as I get the innings I'll be fine.”

Need to Knows: Jaspers @ Owls

Manhattan (0-0, 0-0 Sun Belt)
at FAU (3-0, 0-0 Sun Belt)

When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, 1 p..m. (DH) Saturday, Noon, Sunday
Where: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton
Tickets: 1-866-FAUOwls
Streaming Audio: FAUSports.com
About the Jaspers: Official site
Scouting the Jaspers: Friday is the season-opener for Manhattan. ...The Jaspers have won 30 games in each of the last six seasons. ...Manhattan went 20-2 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference to help claim an NCAA bid. ...Jim Duffy is in his first year as Manhattan coach. ...Friday starter John Soldinger is the reigning MAAC Pitcher of the Year and Sunday starter Mike Giordano was the 2011 MAAC Tournament MVP.
Scouting the Owls: By hitting two home runs on Sunday, clean-up hitter Alex Hudak is only one dinger away from tying his season total of three from last year. ...After being inducted into the FAU Hall of Fame on Friday, former FAU baseball coach Kevin Cooney will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Saturday's first game. ...Pitcher Kevin Alexander, who pitched three innings against Alabama after coming off ligament replacement surgery, is expected to remain in the bullpen at least until closer Hugh Adams returns from shoulder inflammation. ...Every Owl that has started at least two games has recorded at least two hits.
Pitching plans

Friday
Man: John Soldinger (10-3, 3.75)
FAU: Ryan Garton (1-0, 1.50)

Saturday Game 1
Man: Kevin Bonanni (2-1, 3.65)
FAU: Bo Logan (0-0, 27.00)

Saturday Game 2
Man: Scott McClennan (2-2, 3.49)
FAU: Jeremy Strawn (0-0, 2.25)

Sunday
Man: Mike Giordano (8-2, 3.86)
FAU: Austin Gomber (NA)