BOCA RATON, Fla. – Armando Albert and Jalen DeBose combined for 10 RBI in Florida Atlantic University’s 13-4 Sunday win over Minnesota.
Quotable
Head Coach John McCormack evaluates Sunday’s play
“We pitched when we had to,” said John McCormack, FAU’s head coach. “Braden [Ostrander] settled down. [Evan] Waterbor came in and was a little shaky. To get out of that inning [4th] only giving up two was really good, and then he was really good for the next three. And then offensively, as the game went on, we did what we needed to do. We had some big hits. Some things that get lost, Dom [Presto] hustles to get the bunt single. We get a walk to extend the inning and get some singles. It was an all-around good performance.”
THE BEGINNING
Minnesota opened the game with two solo home runs. Down 2-0, the Owls capitalized on wind and Gopher miscues to score two runs on three singles to even the score at 2-2. Ostrander pitched a scoreless second setting up the stage for Jalen DeBose, the Owls centerfielder and No. 9 hitter, who is having a monster series. Jackson Ross was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. DeBose followed with his first collegiate homer to dead center, giving FAU a 4-2 lead.
THE TURNING POINT
Minnesota tied the score in the top of the fifth with two runs, but saw the wheels come off the bus in the bottom of the fifth and sixth, which saw the Owls plate nine runs, four of which came from a two-out grand slam, which was also Albert’s first FAU homer run. Holding the 13-4 lead, the Owls would cruise and hold the Gophers scoreless over the final four frames.
THE FINISH
Both teams began getting experience for their clubs following the sixth. In total, 37 players saw action in the third game of the series.
THE ARMS
- Ostrander started the game, pitched four reaching his pitch count, but not before striking out five and issuing no walks
- Evan Waterbor claimed the win after four innings of relief, allowing two runs on three hits. He struck out three and walked one
- Brock Helverson came on to pitch a scoreless ninth. He walked one and struck out one
THE BATS
- Albert was 3-for-4 with five RBI, a grand slam and three runs scored
- DeBose was 2-for-2 with five RBI, a double, a home run and three runs scored
- Caleb Pendleton was 3-for-5
- Steven Loden and Nolan Schanuel had two hits each
WHAT’S NEXT
The two teams will conclude the series on Monday for a 6:30 p.m. scheduled game. FAU will play its first road game of the year, when the Owls travel to Coral Gables for a 6 p.m. contest on Wednesday, Feb. 23rd.
FOR SEASON TICKETS
To purchase FAU tickets, call 1-866-FAU-OWLS or click HERE. FAU will open the 2022 season at home on Friday, Feb. 18 versus Minnesota. Stay tuned here at FAUSports.com, and on baseball’s Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUBaseball.
