Feb. 18, 2006

Final Stats

Florida Atlantic University is guaranteed a series win and will trip for a sweep of Louisville on Sunday after the Owls defeated the Cardinals 7-4 on Saturday night at FAU Stadium. Chris Salbereg recorded a career high eight strikeouts to earn the win for FAU and improve to 2-0.

Louisville (0-3) took its first lead of the season when it posted a run in the first inning off of FAU starter Chris Salberg. The first three batters reached base on two base hits and a walk before Salberg recorded his first strikeout of the game. A free pass to Logan Johnson pushed Boomer Whiting across for the first run of the contest.

With two more runs in the second, Louisville went up 3-0 as the Cardinals picked up three more hits and a walk before Salberg picked up two more strikeouts.

FAU (4-4) then put up four runs in the bottom of the second to regain the lead. Mike McKenna led off with a single before an error and a hits batters loaded the bases. A sacrifice fly from Justin Martin plated FAU's first run. Another of Louisville starter David Torcise's five walks loaded the bases for a two-run double from freshman William Block.

An insurance run in the fourth run inning chased Torcise from the game. The starter falls to 0-1 after 3 2/3 innings. The Cardinals challenged in the eighth inning to bring the game to 5-4 off of reliever Brandon Cooney. After recording the first out. Daniel Burton singled to right field and was driven home by pinch hitter Michael Urti with a double to left centerfield.

With two outs in the eighth, U of L reliever, Griffin Bailey issued a walk and allowed a single to Alex Fonseca before Ovy Ramirez doubled both runners in.

Mike McBryde entered to close the door on Louisville in his first pitching appearance of the season to earn the save.

Sunday's game time has been changed to 11 a.m and should feature FAU starter Joel Schmal versus U of L's Mike Lynn