Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Florida Atlantic
Southern Illinois
Pitching Staff Shuts Out Southern Illinois
2/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 11, 2006
Florida Atlantic University's pitching staff and defense pulled together for a 12-0 shutout over Southern Illinois University Saturday afternoon at FAU Stadium. Chris Salberg set the tone for the contest after he threw six innings and only allowed two hits as FAU improved to 2-3 on the season, while the Salukis fall to 1-1.
Salberg (1-0) recorded the first out of the contest on a grounder back to the mound before two FAU errors and a walk loaded the bases. The junior left-hander from Rockford, IL then got left fielder Dean Cademartori to ground into a double play to end the scoring threat in the first.
"The turning point of the game was the double play in the first inning," said FAU head coach Kevin Cooney. "That play gave Salberg a chance to settle in and he threw great the rest of the way."
The FAU pitching staff only allowed three hits and struck out six in the shutout. Will Mann, Mike Salivar, Chris Eberhart and Kenny Gray each worked for a combined shutout.
Jumping on the scoreboard with two runs in the first inning, FAU's William Block led off the game with a walk from SIU starting pitcher Jordan Powell (0-1). Tim Mascia followed with one of his four hits on the afternoon and a throwing error allowed Block to score and Mascia to move over to third base. Ovy Ramirez grounded out and Mascia crossed the plate for a 2-0 lead.
Anthony Albano picked up his fourth RBI of the season and gave Florida Atlantic a 4-0 lead in the third inning with a two-run double. Albano has two hits on the season, a home run and a double.
Two additional runs in both the fifth and sixth innings and four runs in the eighth inning provided FAU with its highest scoring contest of the season. The Southern Illinois defense committed five errors and the pitching staff walked 12 batters as FAU got its 12 runs on 12 hits.
Masica and Mike McKenna both finished with four hits to lead the Owls, while Brendan Lutz finished with two hits for SIU.
The rubber match of the series will take place on Sunday at 1 p..m. at FAU Stadium. Joel Schmal is expected to face Cody Adams in the matchup.
