Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Three home runs not enough for Owls
2/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 12, 2006
Florida Atlantic University dropped the final game of a three-game series with Southern Illinois University Sunday afternoon 17-8. The Salukis used 22 hits to take the series from the Owls.
FAU (2-4) jumped on the board with three runs in the first inning as the first three batters reached base. All three came around to score as SIU committed two errors.
After recording two strikeouts in the first inning, FAU pitcher Joel Schmal was tagged for five runs in the first inning and four runs in the second inning. The Salukis' leadoff hitter, Kevin Koski picked up three of his five hits off of Schmal to drive in two runs.
A leadoff home run by Jonathon Shapland in the third inning and two base hits, including an RBI single by Alex Fonseca in the third inning brought FAU back within five runs at 10-5.
The final three runs for the Owls came in the eighth inning off of two home runs from freshmen. William Block hit his team leading second home run over the left field fence for two RBI and Nick Arata followed two batters later with a solo home run for his first hit of his collegiate career.
SIU (2-1) hit three home runs of its own. Nathan Emrick and Bret Maugeri both hit two-run shots in the fourth inning to take a 14-5 lead. Hunter Harrigan delivered his two-run homer in the ninth for the final blow to the FAU pitching staff.
Adam Snyder (1-0) earned the win in relief in four innings of work. He allowed two hits and struck out four. Joel Schmal (1-1) suffered the loss in 2 2/3 innings of work and allowed nine runs on nine hits.
FAU will open a three-game series with Louisville on Friday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m.