In 1999 the Blue Wave finished their year 54-9 and won the Atlantic Sun Conference, posting a regular season conference record of 26-4. 1999 was a year where school and NCAA records fell, and a year in which the Florida Atlantic Blue Wave surged into the national spotlight. Some would argue that it was a one-year wonder and would never happen again.

“I didn’t think they’d do anything,” fan Steve Reisel said while watching the Blue Wave play against conference foe Jacksonville from his seat in the bleachers. “After watching all these kids leave early for the draft, and adding a tougher schedule, I think we all thought that all the hype was over.”

Think again.

Florida Atlantic began the season 3-4 through their first 7 games, but then beat St. Francis of New York and Hartford three times, including a 31-0 rout, putting some confidence back into the team. After taking 3 of 4 on FAU‘s first homestand of the season, the Blue Wave exploded out to a 27-game winning streak.

All talk of the team eclipsing the 34-game-winning-streak stopped when Florida Atlantic lost on the road to Stetson 10-6 in game two of a double-header. The Hatters jumped out in front of the Blue Wave in that game, scoring eight runs in the first inning.

“Sure, we were disappointed at the end of the day Saturday, but there were no tears shed,” Head Coach Kevin Cooney wrote in his “Diamond Diary” on FAUsports.com. “It was just a fact. The streak was over. Even the disappointment of losing a conference game to Stetson was tempered by the knowledge that UCF had lost two out of three.”

Florida Atlantic did have sole possession of first place in the conference, but with Central Florida, Miami and Jacksonville games ahead, it seemed as though nothing was a sure bet for the Blue Wave.

The Hurricanes faced undefeated Blue Wave pitcher Chris Pillsbury at Mark Light Stadium and seemed to be stunned as Pillsbury and the defense had the College World Series Champions shutout until the seventh inning. Pillsbury left the game in the seventh and a 5-0 lead before the bats on Miami‘s side began to heat up.

The game was tied in the seventh, and Miami stole home for the win.

Players and coaches felt the sting, but bounced back almost immediately, taking two out of three from the Dolphins of Jacksonville University on their home field.

However, Stetson and UCF were still chasing the Blue Wave, who still stood atop of the Conference standings.

A series with Central Florida loomed crucial for Florida Atlantic. It was almost imperative to come away with at least one win.

The team rose to the challenge, taking the final game from the Golden Knights, 1-0, in the second game of a double header.

Danny Core pitched his third complete game on the season and improved his overall record to 7-2. Both Core and UCF pitcher Lincoln Mincks pitched complete games on the mound.

There would be no runs scored in the game until Florida Atlantic plated a run when L.J. Biernbaum decoyed himself by getting caught on the base paths between first and second base. UCF took their eye off of Gabe Somarriba at third and Somarriba beat the play at the plate to give the Blue Wave a dramatic 1-0 win.

The No. 22 FAU baseball team remains in first place in the conference with a 12-1 Conference record and an overall record of 35-8.

A major part of the season’s early troubles came from their starting pitching. Other than Pillsbury, no FAU starter seemed sharp out of the gate. However, the pitching staff has done a complete turn since the 3-4 start, with Core leading the way with a conference third-best ERA of 2.87. Core also has three complete games and a 7-2 record for FAU.

Pillsbury has logged 76 and two-thirds innings pitched this season and has an 8-1 record with a 3.76 ERA. Both Travis NeSmith (6-1, 3.07 ERA) and Tom MacLane (3-2, 3.79 ERA) have also pitched very well for Cooney and his team.

Tim McNab, who has 11 saves and an ERA of 1.71, has anchored the bullpen down. Chris Della Rocco, Jim Cooney, Nelson Lopez, James Callahan, and Greg Eubanks have had stellar performances in relief for the Blue Wave so far this season.

The FAU offense hasn’t let the pitchers down as five batters in the starting lineup are batting over .300.

With JUCO transfers Matt Pali (.383 BA, 10 HR) and Mike Cox (.345 BA, 13 HR, 52 RBI) with returnees Biernbaum (.373 BA, 10 HR, 51 RBI) and lead-off man Somarriba (.495 on-base percentage, 50 runs scored), the team is sound at the plate. This includes scoring more than 10 runs 24 different times this year.

The Blue Wave has begun to wind down their season now, but look forward to a strong chance of winning the conference in the tournament this post season. If the team does that, not only will it be the first time in school history, but it will also assure FAU a spot in the Regionals.

However, if the Blue Wave did not to win the Conference Tournament, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they received an at-large bid because of their impressive record and teams they have defeated.

But the impending success or defeat is not something the players are thinking about now. They are poised and having fun each and every game they play. With Central Florida and Stetson within reach of them for tops in the conference, they are and should be taking one game at a time.

Compare the 1999 team with this year’s team and it seems obvious to us that they are two different teams. You may doubt whether it’s a fair comparison.

You should. The 2002 Blue Wave team just might be better.