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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Baseball Opening 2012 Season at Alabama on Friday
2/15/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 15, 2012
Boca Raton, FL -The Florida Atlantic University baseball team opens the 2012 season at the scene of one of the program's signature victories, the University of Alabama, on Friday, February 17 at 7:05 p.m. in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The Owls defeated Alabama to win the 2002 Tuscaloosa Regional, its only regional championship, and paved the way for the team's lone Super Regional appearance in the NCAA Division 1 tournament.
This weekend's season-opening series also includes games against the Crimson Tide on Saturday, February 18 at 4:05 p.m., and Sunday, February 19 at 1:05 p.m. at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
FAU, coming off a 32-win season in 2011 and a season-series victory over nationally ranked University of Miami, was picked to finish in a tie for fourth place in the Sun Belt Conference's (SBC) preseason poll, as voted on by league coaches. Seniors Hugh Adams, Mike Albaladejo and Alex Hudak earned preseason all-conference honors.
"We are excited about opening the season. After six months of inter-squad practices and workouts, the guys are ready for the first pitch on Friday night," said John McCormack, FAU's head baseball coach.
FAU's first win of 2012 will mark a milestone for McCormack with his 100th coaching victory. He has posted a 57-percent winning percentage in his three seasons as head coach.
The Owls boast a strong pitching staff, led by returning starters Ryan Garton and Jake Meiers. Garton, a senior who has been the team's No. 1 starter for the past two seasons, will be on the mound for the season opener. Meanwhile, Meiers, a junior, is scheduled to start Saturday's game. Rounding out this weekend's rotation is junior college-transfer Jeremy Strawn, who will make his FAU debut on Saturday.
McCormack can also rely on a strong relief unit, led by Adams, a first-team All-South Central region and all-conference pitcher last spring. The right hander led the SBC with 10 saves. Junior right hander R.J. Alvarez was named a third-team preseason All-American by Baseball America. The publication also saluted Alvarez as one of the top-100 college prospects for the 2012 major league draft.
Other bullpen options include senior left handers Ahmed Garcia and Josh Gonzaga, while redshirt sophomore Kevin Alexander returns to the pitching staff after missing 2011 with an injury. Alexander was the No. 3 starter for FAU's 2010 team that won the Sun Belt Conference regular-season title and advanced to the championship round of the Gainesville Regional.
Offensively, Hudak finished second in the SBC with a .360 batting average last season. He also ranked in the top-five in hits (73), runs batted in (35), doubles (16) and runs scored (41). Albaladejo started the last 32 games behind the plate at catcher, but is making the move to play second base. This move will allow for junior Mike Spano's productive bat to get in the lineup while playing behind the plate.
Junior college-transfer Kyle Newton (third base) and standout freshman Mitch Morales (shortstop) are expected to occupy the left side of the infield. Another top newcomer, freshman Ricky Santiago, will also see time at shortstop this season.
The Owls are opening the season on the road for the first time since 2003, when they played a series against Bethune-Cookman University.
"It will be different starting on the road," said McCormack. "We do a lot of traveling in our conference. I like being on the road from the stand point that it allows the guys to be focused on the game. It will be good to have everyone together on the road this early in the season."
Alabama is coming off a 35-28 season and an appearance in the Tallahassee Regional. The Crimson Tide was picked to finish third in the Southeastern Conference's West Division, after going 14-16 in conference play last spring. The team's probable starting rotation for this weekend features two freshman pitchers making their collegiate debuts.
Live audio and statistics of all three games at Alabama can be found at www.fausports.com.
The home opener is set for Friday, February 24 at 6:30 p.m. against Manhattan College. For season tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or call the FAU Ticket Office at 1-866-FAU-OWLS.
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