The Blue Wave took on the big, bad St. Louis Cardinals March 2 showing that they can challenge a professional team at any given moment despite their 8-2 loss. FAU’s Jupiter campus is adjacent to Roger Dean Stadium, the site of the exhibition game, and the crowd was predominantly composed of elderly snowbirds enjoying a crisp, cool afternoon of America’s favorite pastime with a pocket of FAU cuties in the third base stands making a lot of noise for our Blue Wave.

And there was plenty to cheer for. Offensively, the Blue Wave’s shining moments were compressed into the second inning, where both of their runs were scored. The action was so intense that it seemed like there was an upset in the making. Tony Lipman drilled a shot to left field that one-hopped to Cardinal Jon Gall for a single to get FAU on base. However, a grounder to second got him tagged in the middle of the baseline and a quick throw to first cleared FAU off the bases in a double play. Tim Mascia, who played a great defensive game in right field, walked. Alex Silversmith came up to bat and with a blooper to short center moved Mascia to second. Mascia, who Coach Cooney refers to as The Blue Wave’s best base runner, thought to run to third but doubled back and was almost thrown out by the center fielder scooping up Silversmith’s base hit. That’s when Mike McKenna smacked a liner to the wall in right center driving in Mascia and Silversmith for the Blue Wave’s only two runs of the game.

The Cardinals came back in the bottom of the inning to go up 4-2, but were held in check till the late innings by great defensive plays. In the sixth, Daniel Turpak caught a liner to right field and quickly gunned it home to Robert Yodice who caught the ball and turned on a Cardinal only half way down the baseline for a sweet double play. Coach Cooney rotated six pitchers in throughout the game. Ryan Sneir was a bit wild and beaned three Cardinals at the plate in the same inning – including Hector Luna who hit strong for the Cardinals. Also, Cardinal Jon Gall had a great scoop catch in the third inning that was worthy of any end of the year highlight reel. Former FAU pitcher Carmen Cali (1998-00) finished the game for the Cardinals against his alma mater. Cali saw his first action in pro ball last season.