Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Florida Atlantic
VCU
Owls Even Series with VCU
4/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 8, 2006
Florida Atlantic University evened the series with Virginia Commonwealth University Saturday afternoon with a 7-4 win over the Rams at FAU Stadium. The middle of FAU's lineup, Anthony Albano and Tyler Stevens, provided five of the team's 10 hits.
After the first two innings, the game looked like it could be high scoring as the teams combined for five runs. The Owls (18-16) came out of the second inning with a 3-2 lead on a sacrifice fly by Tim Mascia.
Starting pitchers John Leonard and Chris Salberg then settled in and did not allow a run in the next two innings. VCU (18-12) tied the game in the fifth inning as Salberg hit a batter and allowed three straight singles as Joe Meador scored on a Brad Stephenson single. The Rams had the bases loaded for the third time on the afternoon but did not push across another run as William Block and Ovy Ramirez combined on a double play.
Leonard (3-3) was chased from the contest in the sixth inning after relinquishing the lead. He gave up a leadoff double to Anthony Albano who came around to score on a Tyler Stevens single up the middle. Albano finished the afternoon with three hits, including two doubles. Albano's second double produced a run in the seventh inning.
FAU increased the lead to 7-3 in the bottom of the eighth with two singles and three walks off of VCU relievers Cody Eppley and Michael Gibbs.
The Rams threatened in the ninth as they put the first three batters on base with a walk and two singles off of closer Mike Crotta. The FAU defense then turned its second double play of the game as a run crossed the plate before a ground ball to first base ended the game.
Chris Salberg improved to 4-4 on the year after he worked 6 1/3 innings. The junior allowed nine hits and three runs while striking out two for his fifth save of the year.
The final game of the series will take place on Sunday at 1 p.m. Brandon Cooney is expected to face VCU's Jared Boldon.
