League-Leading Baseball Ready to Host First Home Conference Series

March 29, 2012

Boca Raton, FL - The Florida Atlantic University baseball team will put its first-place Sun Belt Conference (SBC) record on the line when it hosts the University of Louisiana-Lafayette on Friday, March 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the opener of a three-game weekend series at the FAU Baseball Stadium, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton campus. The series is the first of five home league series this season.

The Owls came away with a 5-1 record from its first two league road series, sweeping a three-game set at FIU on March 16-18 and winning two games at Middle Tennessee State University on March 23-25. Those five conference wins already match the total road league victories achieved last season. Overall, FAU stands 16-10 and is coming off a home loss to No. 21-ranked UCF on March 27.

The team has been productive at the plate, pitching mound and field so far in SBC games. It ranks second in the conference in batting average (.283), hits (250), runs (154) and home runs (24). The pitching staff allowed just five earned runs in the series at MTSU and has a 2.21 earned run average in the six league games. Defensively, the squad has made only one error in conference play. The Owls' 24 home runs rank 17th nationally for home runs hit and home runs per game (.92).

Senior infielder/catcher Mike Albaladejotallied a season-high four hits in this week's loss to raise his average to a team-leading .363, among regular starting players. He also leads the team with 21 runs scored and 37 hits.

Junior third baseman Kyle Newtonhas driven in a team-best 22 runs, while hitting four home runs. Newton ranks third on the team with a .333 batting average.

Junior outfielder Corey Keller has had back-to-back multiple-hit efforts, including three hits against UCF. He also has hit four home runs and is hitting .292 for the season. Junior catcher Mike Spanohas started 21 games and is hitting .292 at the plate.

FAU's pitching staff is anchored by senior Ryan Garton, who has a 4-2 record and a 2.09 earned run average. The right hander leads the team with 36 strikeouts.

Sophomore right hander Kevin Alexanderhas posted a 4-0 record, with a 2.01 ERA, and has allowed just six walks in 31.1 innings this spring.

Freshman Austin Gomberhas won both of his SBC starts, including contributing to a 3-0 shutout at MTSU, and has a 2.45 ERA in his five starts this season.

Louisiana-Lafayette is 13-11 on the season after suffering a 5-0 loss to nationally ranked LSU on March 28. The Ragin' Cajuns are 3-3 in conference play and dropped a home series to Arkansas State University on March 23-25. Last season, the team swept a highly-competitive three-game series with FAU in Lafayette.

ULL is led by sophomore shortstop Ryan Leonards with a .348 batting average and three triples. Sophomore first baseman Chase Compton also is hitting at a .337 clip with nine doubles. Providing the power in the lineup is freshman outfielder Dylan Butler with six home runs and 29 runs batted in. The Ragin' Cajuns also rely on a strong pitching staff which has a 3.77 ERA. Friday night's starting pitcher is scheduled to be senior right hander Jordan Nicholson, who has a 3-1 and 3.22 ERAs. He was named the league's Pitcher of the Week after throwing a complete-game shutout at ULM on March 16.

Live audio and statistics of all three games in the series can be found at www.fausports.com. For season tickets, contact the FAU Ticket Office at 1-866-FAU-OWLS.

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