BOCA RATON, Fla. – Eight home runs and a total of 15 extra base hits were smacked in Florida Atlantic University’s 17-9 Monday night win over Minnesota.
The win improves the Owls’ record to 3-1 on the year and gives FAU the four-game series. Minnesota falls to 1-3 on the year.
Quotable
Head Coach John McCormack on the rare Monday night game
“Up until the about seventh, no lead was safe the way the balls were flying around,” said John McCormack, FAU’s head baseball coach. “It was one of the nights here, with the wind coming off the beach and the balls having a tendency to go out. I thought the key for us was [Sam] Drumheller coming in and being able to give us a couple of zeros. Later, there was a dropped ball in right field that cost him a run. I thought he did a really nice job and then Nicholas Del Prado was solid for two and then Dante [Visconti] did a great job. Offensively, Gabe [Gabriel Rincones, Jr] was amazing and [Steve] Loden, but everybody chipped in. Everybody had a moment. It was good stuff. It is nice after losing Friday night to come back and win the series. I’m proud of the guys.”
THE BEGINNING
Tibur Rivero opened the game with a scoreless first. The Owls headed to the plate and began a story book night for Rincones, Jr. The bottom of the first inning saw Armando Albert, who was 3-for-4 on the night, with four runs scored, a single up the middle and a score from first on Rincones’ double.
Minnesota took advantage of FAU miscues by scoring three runs, two of which were earned in the top of the second. Rincones hit a three-run homer in the bottom half to mirror the Gopher’s top half inning run production, taking the lead once more.
Minnesota plated another in the top of the third sending the Owls to bat with the scored tied at 4-4.
THE TURNING POINT
The Owls scored in each of the first six innings, mounting a lead that was only added to with a five spot in the sixth. In the final six innings, FAU’s bullpen allowed just two hits and a total of three runs, only one earned.
THE FINISH
Despite holding an eight-run lead, FAU closer Visconti came into the game to get his first work of the season. He struck out the first batter he faced on three pitches, got the next batter swinging, walked the third and struck out the fourth.
THE ARMS
- Rivero drew the start, but suffered a hard fourth giving up a lead-off double followed by a homer, and was then hit in the back by a comebacker and left the game
- Drumheller entered in relief, tossing the next three innings to earn his first win of the season. He was charged with two runs, but neither were earned
- Del Prado got two innings of work allowing an earned run, issuing one walk and striking out two
- Visconti claimed the final inning, striking out the side
THE BATS
- The one-two punch of lead-off hitter Albert and number two hitter Rincones were unstoppable, both having 3-for-5 nights at the plate
- Albert had one RBI, scored four times and recorded the team’s first triple of the young season
- Rincones had two doubles, two home runs and seven RBI, while scoring twice
- Every Owl starter recorded a hit. Steven Loden and Jackson Ross joined Albert and Rincones with multiple hits. Loden was 2-for 3 with three RBI and Ross was 2-for-5 with two runs scored
- Both Tyler Kelder and Dylan Goldstein homered
WHAT’S NEXT
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. Then, the Owls will return home for a three-game weekend series versus Delaware. Friday night’s series opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
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.
