BOCA RATON, Florida - The Black Bears faced off against the Florida Atlantic University Owls, a game that saw the Black Bears struggle with errors which kept FAU runners alive and in play, as the Owls won easily by a score of 11-3.
Chris Murphy made his first start of the season, he finished going 2.1 innings, allowing three hits and three earned runs, getting his first decision of the season with the loss bringing his record to 0-1.
The Black Bears struck first in the top of the first inning as an RBI groundout by
Christopher Bec to second base scored
Tyler Schwanz from third base, giving Maine a 1-0 lead.
A three run bottom of the second on an RBI single and a sac-fly would give FAU the lead 3-1. They would slowly build up the lead thereafter, adding another in the bottom of the third to lead 4-1, and a throwing error in the bottom of the fifth would make it 5-1.
Trevor DeLaite would come in for Murphy in the bottom of the third inning right before the fourth run was scored.
Jeremy Pena led off the top of the sixth inning with a huge triple, with
Danny Casals following behind with an RBI single to cut the lead to 5-2. A sacrifice bunt by
Christopher Bec would advance Casals to second, and after another out,
Brandon Vicens hustled to an infield single sending Casals to third, but the third out would come on a ground out to end the rally.
FAU continued to slowly build the lead as a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth would extend FAU's lead back to four runs, 6-2, and an RBI triple and RBI single in the bottom of the seventh made it 8-2. A wild pitch would score the ninth runner of the game.
Trevor DeLaite left the game in the bottom of the seventh inning; he finished with 4.0 innings pitched, allowing two hits and two runs while striking out five.
In the bottom of the seventh FAU blew the lead wide open with a 5 run inning, including scores on a wild pitch and a balk.
Zach Winn and
Ryan Worthington saw action in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Danny Casals would reach second base in the top of the eighth on an outfielder error, and would score from third on a passed ball to give Maine their third run of the night.
The Black Bears will have Thursday off as they travel back to Delray Beach to face UMass for a three game series with games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
-UMaine-
