BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University baseball team was in control on Friday night in a 6-2 season opening victory over Monmouth. Dylan Goldstein contributed three hits and Hunter Cooley contained the Hawks offense for six innings to earn the victory.
THE BEGINNING
The Owls offense struck first with a run in the opening inning. Jackson Ross delivered a sacrifice fly to drive in Armando Albert. They would add three more in the third inning to take a 4-0 lead. Nolan Schanuel led off with a base hit and stole second. Goldstein brought him home with an opposite field double. The next two runs came across on a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded and a Monmouth error on a stolen base by Spencer Rich.
THE TURNING POINT
Cooley allowed just two hits through the first six innings before Monmouth finally got to him in the seventh. Four straight hits to start the inning led to two runs. Max Martzolf entered with one out and runners at first and third. The sophomore escaped the jam with a pop out and strikeout to preserve a two-run FAU lead.
The Owls needed some insurance in the eighth and it was Goldstein who once again came through. With two outs and two on, the junior outfielder laced his second double of the game down the first base line to score both Albert and Schanuel.
THE FINISH
With a four-run lead now in tow, C.J. Williams made his FAU debut in the ninth and set the Hawks down in order.
QUOTABLE
Head coach John McCormack
“Opening night… a lot of guys trying to do a lot of different things offensively. We played great defense, and the relief pitching was really good. Cooley was great too except for that little bit of trouble in the seventh. In retrospect, maybe we shouldn’t have sent him back out, but his pitch count was so low. He did admit though, he got a little bit tired. Goldstein comes through with a couple of big hits to bail us out.”
THE ARMS
- Cooley finished 6.1 with six hits and two runs allowed. He struck out five and walked two.
- Martzolf also pitched the eighth and conceded a leadoff single before retiring the next three.
- Williams needed just 12 pitches to close out the final frame.
THE BATS
- Goldstein finished 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI.
- Christian Adams debuted at second base and singled and scored in his first at-bat.
- Albert was hit by a pitch twice and walked twice. He scored two runs.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Owls and Hawks go again on Saturday afternoon in game two. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
