FAU baseball is off to its best start in five years and pitching is a major reason.
After shutting out Manhattan 2-0 tonight at FAU Baseball Stadium, the Owls now have a 4-0 record, its best start since 2007.
FAU starting pitcher Ryan Garton allowed just five hits and had eight strikeouts in seven innings.
The Owls have yet to trail in their first four games, which aids the pitching staff mentally.
“It feels good to always go the mound knowing that you are not trailing in the game,” Garton said to FAUsports.com. “I was able to mix up my pitches tonight and I got stronger as the game went along.”
The bullpen duo of juniors R.J. Alvarez and Mike Sylvestri ensured the shutout with a pair of scoreless innings to close the game.
FAU scored the first run of the game in the 3rd inning when a ground out by designated hitter Corey Keller brought home freshman shortstop Mitch Morales.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Morales’ sacrifice fly to right field led to a run by catcher Mike Spano, giving the Owls a 2-0 lead.
The defensive-oriented game resulted in the two teams only having five hits apiece.
The next two games of the series are a double header, starting at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 25.