Alive and swinging
NCAA Regionals: FAU’s bats come alive in 12-6 rout of Bethune-Cookman that keeps the Owls’ season alive.
Originally published on
6/5/2010
by
Marcus Nelson
GAINESVILLE – Florida Atlantic was playing a losers’ bracket game against Bethune-Cookman because it couldn’t get hits with runners on base in its opening-round loss to Oregon State.
In a 12-6 victory over the Wildcats on Saturday at McKethan Stadium, the Owls finally got those clutch hits.
And they came in bunches for FAU.
The Owls (36-23) staved off elimination by pounding out a season-high 18 hits, also tying a school Regional record.
“We had a sense of urgency today,” Owls coach John McCormack said. “Not that we didn’t yesterday, but maybe a little bit more. This was the first time all season where it’s either win or you're done. I think there was more of a sense of urgency as we went through the lineup.”
The Owls scored a run in the first on a 2-out RBI single by Eddie Cassidy and also scored three runs in the third inning on a 2-out double by Colby Gratton followed by a 2-RBI single by Sean Bukovich.
FAU had four doubles on the day, also tying a school Regional record.
In the fourth it was Dan Scheffler’s turn to extend an Owls’ rally as his RBI double plated Mike Albaladejo, giving FAU a 6-3 lead.
“I’m just trying to be competitive because everyone here is trying to win,” said Scheffler, who was 3-for-6.
The Owls scored runs in the first five innings, mounting an 8-3 lead and making it easy for FAU starter Ryan Garton.
“It’s great when you know your team is behind you,” said Garton who allowed five runs in seven innings pitched..
The Owls will play in another elimination game at 1 p.m. Sunday against the loser of Saturday night’s game between Oregon State and Florida.
If FAU wins vs. either the Gators or the Beavers, it will play the winner of Saturday night’s game at 7 p.m. Sunday.
“We’ll get some rest and try not to think the enormity of the day,” McCormack said. “Let’s just deal what happens at 1 p.m. If you start thinking about the big picture, it can get a little overwhelming.”
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- Owls get three consecutive 2-out singles. Cassidy’s drives in Mee…FAU 1, BCU 0 Top 1
- Gratton triples and comes in on a sac fly by Bukovich…FAU 2, BCU 0 Top 2
- Gratton getting it done. His RBI double is end of day for Lancara. Gonzalez in…FAU 3, BCU 0 Top 3
- Scheffler and Gratton come in to score on single by Bukovich…FAU 5, BCU 0 Mid 3
- Garton laboring a bit here. A passed ball brings in Turner…FAU 5, BCU 1 Bot 3
- BCU not going away. Durrence 2-out RBI single…FAU 5, BCU 1 Bot 3
- O’Brien’s RBI single gets Owls bullpen going…FAU 5, BCU 3 Bot 3
- Scheffler is 3-for-3 after his RBI double to left-center wall…FAU 6, BCU 3 Top 4
- Scheffler chugs hard from second to score on single by DelGuidice off the body of Wildcats SS...FAU 7, BCU 3 Top 4
- Church is Mr. June. Has had a great post-season and just a hit a long solo homer to left…FAU 8, BCU 3 Mid 5
- Owls leave ‘em loaded in 6th, the first time FAU hasn’t scored…FAU 8, BCU 3 Mid 6
- The Wildcats No. 9 hitter, Turner hits a pitch into the bleachers for a 2-run homer. It’s his first of the season…FAU 8, FIU 5 End 6
- With the bases loaded, Mesa hits a ball to the wall that brings in two more runs…FAU 12, BCU 5 Top 8
- Adams in to replace Garton (7ip 11h 5r 5er 2bb 5so) who did his job well today…FAU 12, BCU 5 Bot 8
- Mesa misplays ball in center and Castro has an RBI double…FAU 12, BCU 6 End 8
- They’re sticking with Adams for the 9th…FAU 12, BCU 6 Bot 9
- Adams gets them 1-2-3…FAU 12, BCU 6 FINAL
NCAA Regional
Florida Atlantic (36-23)
vs. Oregon State (35-21)
Pitching plans: Owls RHP R.J. Alvarez (3-1, 4.74) vs. Beavers TBA
About the Beavers: Oregon State defeated FAU 6-4 in the first game of the Gainesville Regional, but was pounded by the Gators 10-2 …The Beavers have lost just six times in their last 17 games. …Andy Quiring had a solo homer for the Beavers in the loss.
About the Owls: FAU had eight extra base hits in its 12-6 victory vs. Bethune-Cookman. …The Owls haven’t won 37 games since the last time they made the NCAA Regionals in 2005. …FAU pitcher R.J. Alvarez hasn’t factored in a decision since April 17.