May 26, 2003

Florida Atlantic University earned an at-large bid to its fourth NCAA Regional in five years on Monday. For the third time since 1999, FAU will play at a regional hosted by the University of Miami. FAU earned a two seed at the four-team double-elimination regional.

In this week's Collegiate Baseball poll, FAU fell one spot to no. 14, while Miami (39-14-1)finds itself at no. 13 after jumping up four spots. The two other teams in the regional, the University of Florida (34-19-1) and Bethune-Cookman(31-17), are not ranked in the top-30 but are teams that FAU is familiar with.

Florida and FAU will meet in the first game on Friday at 3:30 pm. The two teams have not met since 2001 when Florida Atlantic traveled to Gainesville and was defeated 10-0. UF holds an 11-4 series advantage.

Opening the 2003 season with five games against the Wildcats, Florida Atlantic outscored B-CC 46-17 and started the season 5-0. FAU leads the all-time series 41-12.

Making the trip down I-95 once this season, FAU defeated UM 5-3 in 13 innings. Over the past four seasons, the squad holds a 3-3 record against the Hurricanes.

"It's a familiar setting for our players, and it gives our fans a chance to come. We had 26 people at Tuscaloosa last year, and (Alabama) had 5,000. Down here, we'll have some people. It's also good for the parents of the players and our fans who want to drive down there and won't miss anything," said head coach Kevin Cooney.

After winning the regular season Atlantic Sun Conference, FAU went 2-2 at last week's A-Sun Tournament. The team suffered losses to Jacksonville University and Stetson University. Both A-Sun schools earned four seeds at the Tallahassee and Atlanta Regionals, respectively. This is the fourth consecutive year that three schools will represent the A-Sun in the NCAA Tournament.

The FAU National Alumni Association will host a pregame picnic at the Baseball NCAA Tournament in Coral Gables on May 30, 2003 at 2:30 p.m. The cost for the all-you-can-eat and drink picnic is $7 per person and tickets for the picnic can be purchased at the University of Miami baseball stadium the day of the game. The picnic will take in the food court behind the stadium. To reserve your ticket for the pre-game picnic please R.S.V.P to the Office of Alumni Affairs at 561-297-3011 or to alumni.affairs@fau.edu no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, 2003.

Fans can follow live stats at www.fausports.com or listen live at www.wowl.fau.edu.

Regional tickets can be purchased on-line at hurricanesports.com or by calling 1-800-GO-CANES beginning Tuesday, May 27th.

Prices for All-Tournament Pass
Reserved-$65.00
General Admission-$40.00
Child/Senior Admission-$30.00

Friday, May 30th
3:30 pm #2 Florida Atlantic vs #3 Florida
7:00 pm #1 Miami vs #4 Bethune-Cookman

Saturday, May 31st
12:00 pm Game 3(Loser Gm 1 vs Loser Gm 2)
3:30 pm Game 4(Winner Gm 1 vs Winner Gm 2)
7:00 pm Game 5(Loser Game 4 vs Winner Game 3)

Sunday, June 1st
1:00 pm Game #6 (Winner Game 4 vs Winner Game 5)

FAU will also provide free transportation for up to 30 people down to the games each day. Fans will need to pay for their own game ticket. If you are interested, please contact Jaime at 561-297-0211 or jtaylor@fau.edu by 5 pm on Thursday.

Local Hotels
Holiday Inn University of Miami
1350 S. Dixie Hwy
Coral Gables, FL
Karla Megias-Sales Manager
(305) 667-5611
$69 night

Hyatt Regency Coral Gables
50 Alhambra Place
Coral Gables, FL
Cesar Cortes-Sales Manager
(305) 441-1234
$109 night/ includes buffet breakfast

Miami Airport Marriott Hotel
1201 NW LeJeune Road
Miami, FL
Luis Rodriguez-Sales Manager
(305) 649-5000
$79 night

Wyndham Miami Airport
3900 NW 21 Street
Miami, FL
Peter Waxon-Sales Manager
(305) 871-3800
$79 night/ includes continental breakfast