The University baseball team was swept by Florida Atlantic University in a three game series to in Boca Raton, FL this past weekend. The Hawks are now 0-6, while the Owls improved 9-2 on the season.
Friday night’s opener was dominated by MU for the first six innings; however, FAU scored runs in their final three at-bats to overcome MU’s lead and win the game 9-5.
Offensively, MU was led by senior Steve Wilgus, who scored a run from the leadoff spot and went three-for-five with two RBI’s. Senior catcher Kyle Perry hit a pair of doubles and senior Adam Yunginger went two-for-three with an RBI, his first career run driven in.
MU started off strong, scoring two runs in the first inning. Wilgus was the first to get home, after reaching on an infield single to the right and Perry following with an RBI double to left center. Two batters later, senior Dave Moreno hit a ball that was booted into left field and ruled an error, allowing Perry to score the second run of the inning.
Senior Chris McKenna, who was featured on the mound, allowed a mere three hits during his five-inning stint. McKenna held strong until the third inning, when FAU put themselves on the board to cut MU’s lead to 2-1.
The Hawks returned strong in the third, scoring three runs. Junior Dan Shea was hit by a pitch and awarded first base. Moreno connected for a double to place two on base for sophomore Chris Gaetano. FAU’s Kyle Miller, who has hit seven batters in his collegiate career, hit his second of the game with Gaetano at the plate. The bases were loaded with no outs when Yunginger stepped up to the plate. A single back to the mound was able to plate Shea and give MU a three run lead. Two batters later, Wilgus hit a two-run single through the right side.
McKenna allowed one base runner over the next two innings; however, he started off the sixth by surrendering a leadoff walk and double to FAU. Junior Frank Trimarco replaced McKenna, but ended the sixth by giving up a two-run double to FAU.
MU started off the seventh inning still ahead with a 5-3 lead, but was unable to score a run despite Perry’s double. By the end of the sixth, the game was tied at 5-5. After two outs and two runs in the sixth, Head Coach Dean Ehehalt replaced Trimarco with senior Jeff Paglione.
Paglione was able to get the Hawks’ last out, but surrendered two runs in the effort. FAU extended their lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, leading the game 9-5, which held throughout the ninth.
Saturday’s game was postponed due to rainy weather conditions; however, MU faced off against FAU for a doubleheader on Sunday, March 1. The blue and white lost the first game 11-0, followed by a 9-0 second drop.
The first game featured pitcher senior TJ Hunt. The right handed veteran worked three and two thirds innings, allowing nine runs on ten hits. Yunginger, who relieved Hunt in the third, allowed two runs off two hits. Freshman Mike Brambilla was called to the mound in the sixth to throw two scoreless innings, striking out four in the process for his first collegiate appearance. Sophomore Jesse Fante closed the game with a scoreless eighth inning.
Offensively, sophomore Brad Rhoads and freshman Pete Papcun collected their first collegiate hits during the first game. The Hawks had a total of five hits during the contest while FAU accumulated 13 hits. MU’s final chance to score provided them with their best chance as well. Hits from Papcun, Rhoads, and sophomore Ryan Bailey, provided MU with a bases loaded situation, but they were unable to capitalize the situation. The final score was 11-0.
The final game of the series started off with a 2-0 FAU lead. Junior Anthony Ciavarella had two strong innings, but ultimately surrendered seven hits and four runs before leaving the game. Sophomore Justin Andrews allowed a run on two hits in two innings and freshman Matt Littrell threw a scoreless seventh inning.
The deafening blow to MU’s chances at a comeback occurred during the eigth inning when FAU secured their win with four insurance runs. Sophomore Ricky Dennis relieved Littrell and allowed a total of four hits. The first came from FAU’s center fielder who tripled to lead off the inning. He then scored on an RBI groundout from teammate Billy Endris. The next two batters were able to get on the base path for left fielder Christian Dicks, who recently has been named Conference USA Co-Hitter of the Week. Dicks was able to knock the ball over the right field wall to give the game its final score.
The Hawks will next travel to Greenville, NC to face East Carolina in a three game series. The Pirates currently post a 5-4, all of which have been played at home.
PHOTO COURTESY of James Reme
