FAU Sweeps Doubleheader over #19 Western Kentucky

Saturday, April 17

Boca Raton, Fla.

5:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

22-14, 0

WKU

27-12, 0

Western Kentucky

Florida Atlantic

4/17/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

April 17, 2010

Box Score
Highlights (FAU Audio Vault)

BOCA RATON, FL - The Florida Atlantic baseball team swept a doubleheader against #19 Western Kentucky on Saturday afternoon from the FAU Baseball Stadium.

The victory marks the first conference three-game sweep in the John McCormack era and the first overall since March 21-23, 2008 at home against Middle Tennessee State.

The Owls (22-14, 12-6) won game one in dramatic fashion with a walk off base hit by Eddie Cassidy in the bottom of the 11th inning which propelled FAU to a 5-4 victory. The win clinched the series victory for the Owls, who have now won five-of-six series in conference play.

Mike Gipson (6-1) pitched another brilliant game, throwing eight innings and giving up only seven hits and four earned runs. The right-hander earned a no decision and struck out nine batters compared to only walk.

Ryan Bernal (2-0) earned his second victory of the season by pitching two scoreless innings for FAU in relief.

Andy Mee and Dan Scheffler continued their productive seasons as each player recorded two RBI in the game one victory.

In game two, the Hilltoppers (27-12, 9-6) started off strong and scored four runs in the first inning. Ryan Huck had the big blow in the inning with an opposite field three-run home run to give WKU a 4-0 lead.

FAU came storming back however, scoring six runs in the third. There were two big hits in the inning, first was a two-run single by Andy Mee which brought FAU within 5-3. The next batter, Dan Scheffler, slammed his 11th home run of the season which tied the game at 5-5.

FAU pulled ahead when back-to-back doubles by Eddie Cassidy and Nick DelGuidice gave the Owls their first lead of the game at 6-5.

With FAU on top 9-7 in the ninth, Andy Mee allowed two base hits to bring the go-ahead run to the plate in the form of Jake Wells. Wells was able to double down the left field line to bring one run in. However, the tying run, J.P. Jackson, was tagged out by Joey Burkhalter rounding the bag at third after he ran through the stop sign by the third base coach to end the game.

Kevin Alexander, working for the first time in relief, pitched four no-hit innings to keep FAU in the game. Alexander lost his starting spot to R.J. Alvarez, who struggled in his first weekend start, giving up six earned runs in three-plus innings.

Barry Rooks (1-0) got his first decision of the season after pitching one inning and giving up one hit and one run.

The Owls will be back in action on Tuesday, when they will make their first and only trip across the state to Fort Myers where they will take on Florida Gulf Coast. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. from Swanson Stadium