Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Florida Atlantic
Miami
Florida Atlantic Topples Top-Ranked Miami
4/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 9, 2008
CORAL GABLES, FL - Florida Atlantic University right-hander Michael Obradovich struck out a season-best seven batters, allowing just three runs in eight outstanding innings and All-America candidate William Block hit two home runs in the Owls' 6-3 win over No. 1 University of Miami.
Florida Atlantic (19-11) bolstered its 2008 resume with a road win over the nation's best team. FAU is averaging 41 victories per season since 1999, during that span the Owls have qualified for NCAA Regional play six times.
Miami (27-3), ranked No. 1 by Baseball America, lost for just the second time in 24 home games this season.
It was the first time an FAU team, regardless of sport, defeated a No. 1 opponent.
Eight of FAU's first ten batters reached base against Miami starter John Housey (3-1). Tom Hatcher's RBI single up the middle initiated the scoring in the first inning and Block made it 2-0 when he plated Mike McKenna on a first-pitch single to left field.
After Troy Bubley and Nick Arata singled and scored off Housey in the second inning to make the score 4-0, Block led off the FAU third by hitting a solo home run that easily cleared the fence in left field.
Block added another solo shot in the fifth to make the score 6-1, a no-doubt line drive that flew past the scoreboard in left center field.
Block went 3-for-5 with three RBI and Arata had three hits to pace an FAU offense that scores over nine runs per game.
Florida Atlantic held its five-run advantage into the ninth, thanks to a super-human 148-pitch effort by Obradovich (2-2).
Lead-off hits by Jason Hagerty and Joey Terdslodovich in the bottom of the ninth ended Obradovich's night. Hard-throwing freshman reliever Glen Troyanowski allowed both inherited runners to score but struck out Dave DiNatale on a 2-2 curveball with the bases loaded to seal the victory.
GAME NOTES: FAU starter Michael Obradovich tossed eight-plus innings, the longest outing of any FAU starting pitcher this season and longest an opposing starter has gone against Miami... Miami had won 14 straight games... SS Nick Arata had three hits, upping his season average to .388... Arata and 1B Travis Ozga are hitting .425 and .441 respectively in FAU's last 10 games... FAU had 12 hits Wednesday night, the 23rd time in 30 games this season the Owls have had 10 hits or more... FAU is hitting .327 as a team.
TICKET ANNOUNCEMENT: Miami will be looking for revenge when they visit Boca Raton and FAU Stadium on Wednesday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m. Let's pack the stands with BLUE & RED. First 300 fans will receive a FREE T-shirt courtesy of Tim Graboski Roofing. Fans will also have a chance to win: $100 off Tires Plus certificates, FREE Pepsi product for 1 year and Moe's Southwest Grill gift certificates. For tickets call 1-866-FAU-OWLS or visit www.fausports.com. Purchase tickets online in advance and receive a FREE Owls T-shirt. We look forward to seeing you at the ballpark. Go Owls!!
