May 14, 2006

Final Stats

A two-run home run by Chris Johnson in the eighth inning gave Stetson University a 6-4 win over Florida Atlantic University on Sunday afternoon in DeLand, FL. The loss dropped FAU to 26-26, 11-16 A-Sun, while Stetson improved to 31-21, 14-13 A-Sun.

Stetson starting pitcher Brett Murphy did not allow an Owl to reach base in the first 2 2/3 innings before Nick Arata (Davie, FL) and Jordan Hafer (Deerfield Beach, FL) picked up back-to-back hits for the first run of the game. Arata's bunt single bounced over the head of Murphy before a Hafer triple allowed Arata to score for the early lead.

In the bottom of the frame, the Hatters picked up their first hit of the contest. With one out, Kevin Mierzwinski popped the ball between the shortstop and two outfielders in left field for a double. After moving to third on a ground out, an Owl error allowed the Stetson to tie the game at one.

With three straight singles in the sixth inning, Stetson took the lead 2-1 on an RBI single by Chris Johnson to left field.

In the seventh inning, Anthony Albano regained the lead on a two-run double after Ovy Ramirez reached base on a single and Alex Silversmith was hit by a pitch.

The see-saw battle continued as Stetson tied the game in the seventh after a leadoff double by Brian Bocock. FAU again fought back in the eighth inning with four singles as Ovy Ramirez drove in the go-ahead run.

Johnson came through with the winning hit in the eighth inning off of FAU pitcher Mike Crotta for his 11th homer of the year.

Crotta suffered the loss after he threw 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on three hits, while Robbie Elsemiller (4-3) picked up his second win of the weekend after he threw the final two innings and did not allow a run on three hits.

FAU will close out the season next weekend at home against East Tennessee State University. The series will get underway on Thursday at 7 p.m.