Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Baseball Begins Postseason Play on Wednesday Against Western Kentucky
5/21/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Boca Raton, FL - After winning the regular-season championship, the Florida Atlantic University baseball team will begin its quest for the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) tournament championship on Wednesday, May 23, against Western Kentucky University at 8 p.m.
The Owls will also play the University of Louisiana-Monroe on Thursday, May 24, at 4 p.m. before wrapping up pool play against the University of South Alabama on Friday, May 25, at 8 p.m. The team with the best pool record will advance to the championship game on Sunday, May 27, at 2 p.m. that's being televised on the Sun Belt Network (CSS). All tournament games will be played at the Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Ky.
FAU is the tournament's No. 1 seed after posting a 19-8 record in SBC play and 31-20 for the season. They enter the tournament with a three-game winning streak and had a 6-3 record during the regular season against teams in its pool. The regular-season championship was the second in three seasons for the Owls.
Senior infielder Mike Albaladejoleads the team in four offensive categories. His .354 batting average ranks fourth in the conference while he stands eighth with 70 hits. He has legged out 12 doubles and scored a team-high 42 runs.
Junior first baseman Mark Nelsonled the SBC with 33 runs batted in during conference games. He tops the squad with 43 RBIs and has hit six home runs.
Junior outfielder Corey Keller and junior third baseman Kyle Newtonare tied for team-high honors with seven home runs. Newton has driven in 31 runs and is hitting at a .306 clip. Keller has a .302 batting average.
Senior designated hitter Alex Hudak, a preseason all-conference selection, connected on his first home run in SBC play with a two-run homer against FIU on May 17.
On the mound, senior Ryan Gartonanchors the pitching staff with a 9-3 record and a 3.13 earned run average. The right hander is tied for the league lead in victories and ranks among the leaders in innings (86.1) and strikeouts (79).
No. 2 starter, sophomore right hander Kevin Alexander stands 5-1 with a 2.87 ERA after making eight starts. Meanwhile, freshman Austin Gomber, the No. 3 starter, has a 3-4 record and 3.90 ERA.
In the bullpen, junior right hander R.J. Alvarezhas recorded eight saves and five victories this season. He has a remarkable 0.53 earned run average and has struck out 45 batters compared to just nine walks.
Senior reliever Ahmed Garciais 2-0 with a 2.51 ERA in 25 appearances.
WKU qualified for the eight-team field in their hometown by scoring a series victory over Middle Tennessee State University from May 17-19. The team went 24-31 during the regular-season and was 13-17 mark in SBC play. The Owls and Hilltoppers will be meeting in their tournament openers for the third straight season, with both teams claiming extra-inning victories. Senior third baseman Casey Dykes leads WKU with a .289 batting average, while senior outfielder Ryan Hutchison has hit seven home runs and leads the team with 45 RBIs.
ULM swept a road series against rival Louisiana-Lafayette to secure the No. 5 seed and made the tournament for the first time since 2009. The Warhawks will open the tournament against South Alabama on Wednesday, May 23. The team went 15-15 in league action and are 28-27 overall. Senior shortstop Jeremy Sy is hitting at a .342 clip with six triples. Senior designated hitter Joey Rapp has connected on nine home runs with 48 runs batted in. Rapp was hitting at a .324 clip.
South Alabama, 15-15 in the SBC and 21-33 overall, earned the No. 4 seed after sweeping ULM in a three-game series earlier this season. The Jaguars dropped the last two games of a road series at rival Troy University on May 17-19. The team is led by sophomore outfielder Jordan Patterson's .325 batting average, eight home runs and 44 RBIs. Junior designated hitter/catcher Whitt Dorsey is hitting at a .332 clip, while junior outfielder Nolan Earley has scored 41 runs.
The tournament champion will represent the SBC in the NCAA Division I postseason tournament.
Live audio and statistics of all FAU games can be found at www.fausports.com.
