April 23, 2006

Final Stats

NASHVILLE, TN - William Block delivered a bouncing single over the infield to record the game-winning RBI in Florida Atlantic University's 6-5 13-inning victory over host Belmont University, Sunday afternoon.

The victory secured the series win for FAU, which improved to 22-19-8-10 A-Sun, while Belmont falls to 19-22, 7-14 A-Sun. The extra inning contest ties the longest in program history.

Alex Silversmith scored FAU's first run after reaching base on a walk in the fifth inning. With the hit-and-run on, Travis Ozga delivered a single through the right side to move Silversmith to third. A perfectly placed Daniel Cook bunt, placed between the firstbaseman and pitcher, gave FAU its first run.

Block also had a bunt that moved two runners into scoring position before centerfielder Mario Duarte laced a ball to right centerfield for two RBI and a 3-0 Owls led.

Belmont starter Carlo Testa left the game after six innings. Reliever Ben Meador entered the game only to give up extra base hits to the first two Owl batters he faced. Daniel Cook led off with a double to right centerfield. Block followed with a triple to the same spot which chased Meader from the contest. Ryan Ashner, the third Bruin pitcher had similar luck. He recorded the first out, a strikeout, but, then saw a prolonged at bat due to a dropped foul ball extended into a RBI double to center by the Owls lead-off batter Jordan Hafer.

Brandon Cooney threw six hitless innings in his eighth start of the year before surrendering a leadoff double to Kane Simmons. His fourth strikeout of the afternoon was followed by a single setting up runners in scoring position. His fifth strikeout of the game and second of the inning was proceeded by his first run of the game, driven in by the eight whole hitter.

On the day Cooney gave up just three hits and struck out five. But, did not pick up the win with the Bruins' battling back to send the game in extra innings.

The Bruins' leading hitter, Wilson Tucker brought the game within three with his seventh homer of the season off FAU reliever Chris Eberhart in the eighth inning. Eberhart then walked the next batter and was relieved by closer Mike Crotta, who entered the contest in a save situation. Crotta walked the first batter he faced then saw Brady Manifold deliver an RBI single to right field. Crotta ended the inning with a strikeout.

The Owls entered the bottom of the ninth holding a two-run lead but saw the margin quickly evaporate with a two-run homer by Matt Reynolds which pushed the game into first extra innings, the first of the season for the Owls.

The game remained knotted at five until the top of the 13th when FAU s scored. The first attempt was thrown out at the plate, the second scored much easier when Block's hit bounced over the head of the third baseman which allowed Nick Arata to score the go-ahead run. The hit was Block's second RBI of the afternoon.

Mike Crotta picked up the win in his longest outing of the season to improve to 2-1. He worked 5 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out five.

Chris Manning, who gave up the winning hit, suffered the loss after four innings of work.

FAU will travel to Florida International on Wednesday to face the Golden Panthers in the second meeting of the season.