New Orleans Claims Crucial Series at FAU

Sunday, May 3

Boca Raton, Fla.

1:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

25-20, 0

New Orleans

19-28, 0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
New Orleans	3	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	7	0
Florida Atlantic	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	3	8	0

5/3/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

May 3, 2009

Final Stats

BOCA RATON, FL - The University of New Orleans held off a late rally to take the decisive game of a pivotal Sun Belt Conference series with Florida Atlantic University 5-3. New Orleans (19-28; 10-14 Sun Belt) now controls its own destiny in the race for a spot in the league's postseason tournament May 20th through 23rd.

The Owls had scored three times in the seventh and Barry Rooks threw seven shutout innings in long relief but it was not enough to overcome an early 5-0 deficit Sunday. Florida Atlantic (25-20; 8-15 Sun Belt) is in jeopardy of missing its conference tournament for the first time since being eligible for DI postseason play in 1995.

UNO began the game hitting three straight singles against Owls' freshman starter Brent Adheen (0-4). After a walk and Nick Schwaner's two-run single made it 3-0; Adheen was pulled after five batters (four singles and a walk) without recording an out.

In the second inning Mike Gipson issued two walks, threw a wild pitch and Nick Mitchell followed with a two-RBI single, extending UNO's lead to 5-0.

UNO's Joe Zimmerman (3-3) faced just one over the minimum through the first 4 1/3 innings. The freshman right-hander struck out six and allowed just two hits in five scoreless innings.

FAU began both the sixth and seventh innings with hits off of UNO reliever Randy Verdin. William Block hit a bases-clearing double off Verdin with two-on and nobody out in the seventh. Nick Criaris followed with double to right-field off 6-foot-7 lefty sophomore Mats Mattson, scoring Block and pulling the Owls to within two, 5-3.

With the Owls still threatening in the seventh, a fly out and an unsuccessful squeeze play helped UNO get out of the jam with the 5-3 lead still intact. The Owls had loaded up the bases with two outs.

It was Rooks who allowed FAU a chance at a comeback. The junior from Ovideo retired 21 of 23, striking out seven in seven shutout innings of long-relief.

With the Owls still trailing 5-3, David Burch retired the side in order in the bottom of the eighth and did it again in the ninth to save his eighth game of the year.

FAU/SERIES NOTES: Freshman lefty Ahmed Garcia (3-1; 3.82 ERA) was dominant in his first Sun Belt Conference start on Saturday, pitching eight complete innings in a winning effort... Garcia was so effective only four of the first 22 batters he faced got into a two-ball count... Without issuing a walk, he struck out five and allowed one earned run on six hits... Garcia and sophomore closer RH Glen Troyanowski (2-3; 6.03 ERA) combined to throw FAU's first walk-free game of the season... Troyanowski pitched a perfect ninth Saturday and has earned a save in each of his last four chances... 2B William Block (.314 BA) moved into 4th on FAU's all-time RBI list (179) after his two-run double Sunday... Block ranks in the top 10 in virtually every offense category at FAU... Block ranks 1st in runs (213) and doubles (55), 2nd in hits (275) and 4th in homers (43) and RBI (179)... Block needs just four more homers to equal FAU's all-time homerun total of 47 and 14 more hits to equal the school's hit record (289)... Block needs just six more RBI to break the school's RBI record of 185... First-year FAU head coach John McCormack has been shuffling the lineup; everyday DH Tom Hatcher (.314 BA) started and played left field for the first time this season on Sunday and C Nick Criaris (.321 BA) was used as the DH... All nine FAU starters Sunday brought in a batting average above .300... Junior LH Barry Rooks (3-1; 4.25 ERA) was terrific in long-relief Sunday, retiring 21 of 23 and striking out seven in seven shutout innings... In the three weekend games UNO's Nick Mitchell was 7-for-12 (.582 BA) with two homers a triple and 8 RBI and teammate Nick Schwaner finished the series 6-for-12 (.500 BA) with three doubles and 7 RBI... FAU will next play at Florida Gulf Coast Tuesday, then Arkansas State on the road this weekend... The top eight teams in the league qualify for the conference tournament May 20 through 23... Sun Belt Conference standings.