Florida Atlantic's Winning Streak Ends at MTSU

Friday, March 20

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

7:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

13-4, 3-3

Middle Tennessee

15-3, 6-1

Florida Atlantic

Middle Tennessee

3/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

March 20, 2009

Final Stats

MURFREESBORO, TN - Nathan Hines' grand slam was part of a five-run third inning for Middle Tennessee State University as the Blue Raiders knocked off Florida Atlantic University 7-2 in the opener of a three-game Sun Belt Conference series in Murfreesboro.

Florida Atlantic (13-4; 3-3 Sun Belt) had won four-straight and 11 of 13. Nick DelGuidice hit a two-out RBI single in the first, one of four FAU hits in the first two innings that produced just one run.

Middle Tennessee State (15-3; 6-1 Sun Belt) starter Bryce Brentz went through a middle-inning stretch of retiring nine-straight FAU batters.

"We did not capitalize on opportunities early," said FAU head coach John McCormack. "We had chances to really change the complexion of the game early on and did not make it happen. Credit MTSU, they did, coming up with key hits in that third inning."

The Blue Raiders improved to 12-2 on its home field in their newly renovated on-campus stadium in Murfreesboro. Brentz (2-0) - the 2008 Sun Belt "Freshman of the Year" and unanimous freshmen All-America - tossed his first career complete game, striking out six.

Without a hit the Blue Raiders put two runners on base in each of the first two frames but Mike Gipson twice pitched FAU out of early jams. The Owls took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the third.

With the bases loaded and no outs in the third, Rawley Bishop singled to tie the game at one and Hines followed with an opposite-field grand slam. The drive by Hines was the 30th home run for MTSU in 18 games this season, tops among all Sun Belt Conference teams.

Gipson (1-2) allowed just five hits through five innings but three fielding errors and four walks forced him to throw 111 pitches. Gipson would be charged with six runs, moving his season ERA up to 5.20 ERA.

After Hines' slam in the third, Brentz (2-0) settled down to set down 13 of 14 FAU batters allowing the Blue Raiders to comfortably enjoy a 7-1 lead.

Anthony Mesa hit one-out a solo homer to leftfield in the seventh, his second homer in the last three games. Mesa went 2-for-4, and both Troy Bubley and William Block were twice hit by Brentz' pitches. The Owls stranded 10 runners.

"We talked to the guys tonight about timing and seizing the moment," added McCormack. "No panic, we will continue to do what we have done this season as the series continues."

GAME NOTES: The series features two of the Sun Belt's top hitting teams, coming into Friday's opener FAU was batting .336 as a team, MTSU .346... FAU's two runs was a season-low... MTSU is wrapping up a nine-game home stand, having gone 6-1 in its last seven at the newly renovated Reese Smith Jr. Field... The 5 million dollar renovations began in September of 2007 and were completed prior to the 2009 season... Former MTSU pitcher and 1st round MLB draft pick Dewon Brazelton was a key donator, allowing for a new entrance, grandstand, press box, dugouts and two luxury suites.

- Nick Mirkovich (FAU Media Relations) -