Open and shut case
Four FAU pitchers combine for a shutout allowing the Owls to improve to 4-0 on the season with a victory over Manhattan in FAU's home opener on Friday.
Originally published on
2/24/2012
by
Marcus Nelson
BOCA RATON – Florida Atlantic didn't get the big hits against Manhattan on Friday like it did last week in a three-game sweep over Alabama.
With starter Ryan Garton on the mound, the Owls really didn't need them. Garton and three other pitchers combined on a 2-0 shutout of the Jaspers allowing FAU to win its home-opener.
“Offensively we've got to be a little better, but we did some little things really well,” said FAU coach John McCormack.
The Owls took a 1-0 lead in the third when freshman shortstop Mitch Morales led off the inning with a single and came in on a groundout to the shortstop side of second base by junior designated hitter Corey Keller.
Garton (2-0) had an easy time with the Jaspers until the seventh when he loaded the bases, but escaped by striking out Chris Kalousdian to end the threat.
“My adrenaline always seems to pump in the later innings and that seems to help,” said Garton, who struck out eight.
Morales drove in the second FAU run when junior catcher Mike Spano scored on his sacrifice fly in the seventh.
“When you get that early lead it's a lot of confidence for the team,” Morales said. “It really built the momentum in.”
Josh Gonzaga, R.J. Alvarez and Michael Sylvestri, who picked up his second save of the season, didn't allow a hit the rest of the way.
With the victory, their first shutout of the season, the Owls improved to 4-0 on the season and have yet to trail this season.
GameBrowser: FAU 2, Manhattan 0
- Owl-Star Performance: RF Alex Hudak isn't getting much to swing at but was still 1-for-2 and gunned down a runner at the plate in the third.
- Moving forward: Freshman SS Mitch Morales was 1-for-2 with an RBI and run scored...C Mike Spano was 1-for-3 and scored a run...P Ryan Garton didn't allow a run in seven innings, llowering his ERA to 0.69.
- Moving backwards: 3B Kyle Newton was 0-for-4...LF Geoff Jimenez was 0-for-2 with two strikeouts and was thrown out at home.
- Key stat: FAU opponents are hitting .198 this season.
- Up Next: FAU faces Manhattan in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.