Baseball: FAU beats ASU 6-2, extends conference lead to three games

April 23, 2012

FAU catcher Mike Spano went 2 for 4 with an RBI in the 6-2 victory over Arkansas State. Photo by Michelle Friswell.

After five straight road games in three different cities, the Owls returned home to play Arkansas State in a pivotal one game series on Sunday, coming away with a 6-2 win.

After a three-up, three-down inning to start the game, FAU starter Ryan Garton got into some early trouble in the top of the second inning as the first two batters — outfielder Logan Uxa and third baseman Claude Johnson — reached via singles.

Garton settled down, but it was not before the Red Wolves took a 1-0 lead following a throwing error by junior first baseman Mark Nelson. It allowed Arkansas State to score, closing out the inning.

Nelson redeemed himself by scoring the first run for the Owls on a passed ball by Arkansas State catcher Stuart Levy to tie the game in the second.

After an hour and 25 minute rain delay, the Owls were able to take advantage of three errors by the Red Wolves in the bottom of the sixth inning. Nelson laced a bases loaded, two-run RBI single scoring senior second baseman Mike Albaladejo and junior outfielder Nathan Pittman to put the Owls ahead 3-2.

FAU reliever Ahmed Garcia pitched two scoreless innings to close out the game. Photo by Michelle Friswell.

Nelson was relieved to see the help. “I didn’t wanna lose 2-1,” he said. “I was glad to come up with a big hit and score a few runs.”

The scoring did not stop there as junior catcher Mike Spano recorded an RBI single to score senior designated hitter Alex Hudak. Sophomore outfielder Geoff Jimenez and Nelson both scored on fielding errors giving FAU a 6-2 lead to close the sixth inning.

FAU starting pitcher Ryan Garton went five innings, allowing five hits and one earned run. The Owls’ bullpen threw four innings of shutout baseball allowing one hit and one walk. All of the Owls’ runs scored were unearned. R.J. Alvarez recorded the win improving his record to 4-0.

The series between the top two teams in the Sun Belt was originally scheduled to be a three-game set, but rain forced two games to be canceled.With the win, the Owls improve their record to 13-3 in conference play and 25-14 for the season. The Owls are now three games ahead of Arkansas State for first place in the Sun Belt standings.

FAU will next play out of conference and travel to Coral Gables to face the Miami Hurricanes on April 24 at 6 p.m.