Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Florida Atlantic
Mercer
FAU Drops First Game of Series
5/11/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 11, 2001
In the first of a three-game series, Florida Atlantic University (33-21, 13-12 TAAC) fell to Mercer University (23-27, 9-16 TAAC). Ryan Humphrey hit his first home run of the season in the 7-4 loss.
FAU took a first inning lead after Gabe Somarriba was hit by his 24 pitch of the season, the Bears committed two errors and a double steal led to the first run of the game.
Petersen Benjamin held Mercer scoreless until the fourth inning when David Harwell hit a one-out double down the left line, then scored when Kyle Levengood drove a single to center field.
The Bears scored another run in the sixth before a five-run seventh put the visiting team ahead for good. Luke Jackson started the inning with a single. The next two batters made it to first off of sacrifice bunts that Benjamin was not able to handle. Another base hit and a three-run RBI by Mike Appalucci totaled one earned run and four unearned runs in the inning.
FAU was able to pull it within three runs in the bottom of the inning when pinch hitting senior, Ryan Humphrey hit a three-run RBI homer deep over the center field fence, his first of the season.
Benjamin (6-5) took the loss for FAU in his final career outing at FAU. He pitched six innings, gave up three earned runs and struck out two. Jim Cooney, Chris Pillsbury, Travis NeSmith, and Matt O'Brien all saw action out of the pen.
Jason Page ( 9-7) got the win for Mercer after pitching 8 2/3 innings before Brett Jarrett was brought in with the tying run at the plate. Jarrett earned his second save of the season.
FAU will play its final home game of the season, a doubleheader against Mercer, at 1 pm today.
