Florida Atlantic Wins, Position for Playoffs

Friday, May 8

Jonesboro, Ark.

7:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

26-21, 0

Arkansas State

19-28, 0

Florida Atlantic

Arkansas State

5/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

May 8, 2009

Final Stats

JONESBORO, AR - Florida Atlantic University exploded for six runs in the sixth as the Owls won a pivotal Friday night Sun Belt Conference game over Arkansas State University 9-5.

William Block hit a two-run triple and senior classmate David Wilson doubled-in a pair during FAU's game-changing sixth inning. Mike Gipson threw four-plus shutout innings of long relief to assure the Owls of victory.

"We played well, I really liked what Mike (Gipson) did for us tonight," said FAU head coach John McCormack. "He came in and gave us a chance and the bats picked us up in the sixth."

The win moved Florida Atlantic (26-21; 9-15 Sun Belt) past ASU and to within one game in the win column of the University of New Orleans (19-29; 10-15 Sun Belt) for the league's eighth and final playoff spot with five to play. UNO lost its series opener with UALR Friday 8-2.

Arkansas State (19-28; 9-16 Sun Belt) and FAU are both in search of a series-win which would put either school in position to qualify for a spot in the league tournament with a strong finish next weekend.

The Owls beat ASU ace and all-league starter Chase Ware (5-3). Ware was working with a 5-3 lead in the sixth before Block's triple tied it and Nick DelGuidice gave FAU its lead back with a double down the line in left field. FAU would pile on three more runs, two were charged to ASU reliever Chris Bullington.

"When we got down it made it tough but we were able to bounce back, this team is relentless," said Wilson. "(Chase) Ware is a good pitcher but we strung some hits together and got him tired and eventually off the mound. It was a great win one that should spring us forward."

Wilson's 2-run double came off Bullington and after 11 men came to the plate in the FAU sixth the Owls led comfortably 9-5.

The four-run lead was enough for Mike Gipson (3-5). The sophomore right-hander from West Palm Beach allowed just two hits in four-plus innings in long-relief of starter Adam Morrison. Gipson cruised through the late-innings. Gipson threw just eight pitches in the eighth and closed the door with a perfect ninth. He retired ten-straight to end it.

"Wonderful job by Mike Gipson tonight, he threw 65 pitches and 44 were strikes," said Arkansas State head coach Tommy Raffo. "We have our backs to the wall now."

GAME NOTES: It was the first-ever meeting between the two schools in Jonesboro, all six previous games in the series had been played in Boca Raton... William Block's two RBI moved him within four of the school record of 185 established by former teammate Mike McKenna (2005-'08) a year ago... Arkansas State is finishing its home schedule with three games against FAU and another against Murray State Tuesday night... Nick Criaris hit a towering two-run homer in the first inning which not only cleared the wall but sailed over the scoreboard looming some 40-feet above right field... Tom Hatcher hit his 14th double and finished the night 2-for-4.

Nick Mirkovich - FAU Media Relations