Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Florida Atlantic
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North Florida
Pitching Staff Guides Owls to 4-2 Win
4/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 17, 2007
After undergoing an appendectomy earlier this season, Joel Schmal returned to the field for Florida Atlantic University and started his first game on Tuesday. Schmal, Brandon Kloess and Alex Pepe combined to hold the University of North Florida to two runs. The FAU offense produced three runs on two homers as the Owls flew to a 4-2 victory at FAU Stadium.
"Schmal pitched well and we had a solid outing out of the bullpen," said FAU Head Coach Kevin Cooney. "It is encouraging going into the weekend."
Robbie Widlansky gave FAU (25-14) the early lead with a two-run homer in the first off of UNF starter Jonathon Turner. The ball snuck around the left field foul pole as Turner gave up his first of two homers. In the sixth, Justin Martin had a similar shot that just stayed fair as he gave FAU a 3-2 lead. Turner (3-1) allowed three runs on six hits as he suffered the loss.
An insurance fun came in the eighth inning as two base hits put runners on the corner. A safety squeeze by pinch hitter Tyler Stevens gave FAU the 4-2 win.
The Osprey's offense plated a run in both the fourth and fifth inning as the leadoff batter reached on a hit in both instances. In the fifth, James Belyea singled to start things and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt before a Brian Wilson double plated UNF's first run. Andy Warren led off the fifth inning with a double and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly.
Schmal exited the game after five innings with the scored tied. Brandon Kloess entered and worked two innings and earned the win to improve to 2-0 on the year. Alex Pepe also worked a strong two innings and earned his first save of his career. The FAU bullpen has not allowed a run in its last 12 2/3 innings of work.
FAU will return to action this weekend when it heads to the University of New Orleans. The three game series will start will 7:30 p.m. et contests on Friday and Saturday with a 2 p.m. et start on Sunday..
