Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Baseball Season Preview: Pitching
2/16/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 16, 2011
Boca Raton, Fla. - Baseball is a sport that starts with a pitch. Knowing this, the Florida Atlantic University baseball team begins its defense of the Sun Belt Conference championship with a stable of quality starting pitchers, middle relievers and closers.
The Owls will throw the first pitch on the spring season Friday with a game against Hofstra University, starting at 6:30 p.m., at the FAU Stadium, 777 Glades Road on the Boca Raton campus. That will start a three-game series on the opening weekend, and starting a stretch in which the team plays five games in the first six days - putting a strain on the FAU pitching staff.
"While we feel good about our pitching staff, injuries have caused us to be a little shorthanded heading into the season," acknowledged John McCormack, FAU's head baseball coach. "However, we're like every team at any level in the country, we could use some more pitching. The New York Yankees, Middle Tennessee State and Boca Raton Little League teams - they all would like to have more pitchers."
FAU returns two starting pitchers from last season's weekend rotation: junior right hander Ryan Garton and sophomore right hander R.J. Alvarez.
Garton, a native of New Port Richey, Fla., compiled a 7-3 record with a 4.87 earned run average after beginning last season in the bullpen. The junior assumed a starting role midway through the season, and went 5-3 to help the team capture the Sun Belt Conference championship and qualifying for the NCAA Division I Gainesville Regional.
Alvarez, another late bloomer from a year ago, has moved into the No. 2 spot in the starting pitching rotation after posting a 3-1 record and 49 strikeouts in 2010. The Royal Palm Beach, Fla. native earned all-star honors last summer in the prestigious Cape Cod Collegiate Summer League.
"The main pieces are in place to have a successful starting rotation," noted McCormack, who likes his options to round out three-game weekend series with dependable returnees Ahmed Garcia and Jake Meiers, along with newcomers Josh Gonzaga and Dalton Wentz.
Junior Hugh Adams will be a key pitcher in the bullpen after seeing considerable time on the mound during his first two seasons. Newcomer Paul Davis is expected to occupy the set up role for all-league closer Andy Mee, who led all Sun Belt Conference relievers with 11 saves last season. Mee has been named to the Watch List for Stopper of the Year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America.
Other talented middle relievers on the pitching staff are Taylor Everist, Mike Ruccio, Glen Troyanowski and Mike Tomasi.
"Taylor and Mike are versatile pitchers that can be featured in many different roles," said McCormack. "Taylor started games last year before playing a key role by coming out of the bullpen. We have to put those players in situations which they can succeed."
McCormack added the pitching staff's depth has been shortened as players are still recovering from injuries suffered during last summer and fall. A couple of pitchers may become available throughout the season.
Season and individual tickets for the Owls' upcoming season can be purchased through the FAU ticket office website at www.fausports.com, or by calling 1-866-FAU-OWLS. Tickets also will be made available at Ticketmaster.com.
