Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Florida Atlantic
Cincinnati
McKenna Lifts Owls to 14-13 Win
2/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 10, 2007
Mike McKenna delivered a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 12th inning as Florida Atlantic University defeated the University of Cincinnati 14-13 Saturday afternoon at FAU Stadium. The junior finished the afternoon with a career-high four hits and four RBI.
"McKenna stepped in and calmly put a swing on it and the ball went out," said FAU Head Coach Kevin Cooney. "Games like this in February pay off in May. When people struggle, others step up."
The game was one of momentum swings as FAU took an 8-2 lead before UC fought back to score 11 runs in the seventh and eighth innings. With their backs to the wall, FAU scored two runs in the eighth and three in the ninth to send the game to extra innings.
With two outs and two runners on, William Block and Daniel Bomback both drew walks as one run was pushed across the plate in the ninth. Robbie Widlansky then tied the game with an RBI single to keep the game alive. Widlansky finished the afternoon three-for-seven with five RBI.
The game then remained deadlocked until McKenna stepped to the plate in the 12th inning.
Numerous pitchers were used in the game that was five minutes short of five hours. FAU sent eight pitchers out to the mound, while the Bearcats used six. Lou Morey and Joel Schmal worked the final four innings and allowed only one Cincinnati hit. Schmal earned the win after picking up a save in last night's contest.
"Widlansky picked us up and carried us throughout the game," said Cooney. "Lou Morey came in and shut down Cincinnati at a critical point and Schmal pitched great."
With the first two games of the series decided by a combined two runs, Sunday's 1 p.m. meeting is expected to be exciting. Mike Obradovich will take the mound for the Owls
