Friday's result: Missouri 4, FAU 2
Bats tamed by Tigers
Missouri scores two in the first and two more in the ninth to defeat FAU 4-2.
Originally published on
2/26/2010
by
Chuck King
Last weekend’s struggles with runners in scoring position carried over into FAU’s second weekend of the season, limiting the Owls run production in a 4-2 loss to Missouri on Friday in the opening game of the Auburn Classic.
Florida Atlantic (2-2) still had a shot at the victory in the ninth until Mike Albaladejo grounded out to third baseman Brett Nicholas, who tagged Anthony Mesa to end the game. FAU left eight runners on base and had another thrown out at home.
“We had some opportunities,” FAU coach John McCormack said. “We are getting guys on, we just cant get that big hit to get us over the hump.”
FAU’s lack of run production overshadowed another strong outing from starting pitcher Taylor Everist, who fell to 0-2 after allowing two earned runs on six hits while striking out six in seven innings.
“That’s a game that if we want to get back to Regionals and to elite status, we have to win,” McCormack said.
Missouri (3-1) scored both runs off Everist in the first, with Aaron Senne’s two-out RBI double being the big blow.
The Tigers threatened to break the game open in second, loading the bases on two hits and a hit batter. Everist, though, shut the door by striking out Nicholas.
The score remained 2-0 until the sixth, when Andy Mee greeted Missouri reliever Jeff Scardino by smacking a home run over the left field wall – his first round tripper as an Owl.
Missouri needed only one hit in the top of the ninth to add two runs.
Ryan Garton hit the leadoff batter before surrendering a walk, ending his afternoon. Andy Mee induced a bunt from Ryan Ampleman, throwing out the runner at second. Michael Liberto followed with a sacrifice fly, and Russell LaFleur’s base hit brought home the Tigers’ final run.
Turns out Missouri needed the insurance. FAU cut the lead to 4-2 on Anthony Mesa’s two-out double before Albaladejo’s groundout ended the game.
GameBrowser: Missouri 4, FAU 2
Moving forward: Even though he fell to 0-2, Taylor Everist still pitched like a Friday starter, shutting down the Tigers after the first inning. …Dan Scheffler went 2-for-3 with a triple.
Moving backward: Ryan Garton’s ninth-inning walk and hit batter set up the Tigers’ needed insurance runs. …Raymond Church and Chase Vergason were a combined 0-7 hitting in the seventh and eighth spots. …Sean Bukovich went 1-for-4, but left three runners on base.
Stat download: 5 – number of batters hit by FAU pitchers.
Up next: FAU plays Boston College at noon, Saturday in another game in the Auburn Classic
Preview Download: FAU vs. Boston College
FAU (2-1, 0-0 Sun Belt)
vs. Boston College (2-1, 0-0 Big East)
Pitching plans: Owls RHP Mike Gipson (1-0, 0.00) vs. Eagles RHP Mike Dennhardt (1-0, 0.00)
About the Eagles: BC took the Friday and Saturday games from Tulane by a combined score of 20-5 before falling on Sunday 14-6. …Junior 3B Mickey Wiswall was named to the Baseball America Preseason All-America Second Team… Junior RHP Kevin Moran was named to the initial watch list for the sixth annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Award, given to the top relief pitcher in the nation. Anthony Melchionda drove in 7 runs during the opening weekend. …The Eagles enter the weekend sporting a 6.23 team ERA.