Florida Atlantic Tops Eagles, 11-6

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BOCA RATON, Fla. — The Eastern Michigan University baseball team jumped out to an early 2-0 lead over Florida Atlantic early on, but the Owls answered in the fourth and fifth innings to take the lead and not look back. FAU's offensive outburst powered them to the 11-6 win, here today at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla.

Junior Sean Hoffman (Midland, Mich.-Midland) (0-2) pitched 4.2 innings in the losing effort, giving up 11 hits and eight earned runs while striking out two. Kyle Rhoad (Fostoria, Ohio-Elmwood), Aaron Powell (Clarkston, Mich.-Clarkston) and Josh Ivan (Belleville, Mich.-Belleville) each had two hits for the Green and White.

The Eagles started the scoring in the top of the fourth, putting up two to take the early lead on the Owls. Steve Bradshaw (Lapeer, Mich.-West) reached first after being hit by an Adam Morrison pitch. After an Andrew Marshall (Mason, Mich.-Mason) fielders choice, junior Aaron Powell (Clarkston, Mich.-Clarkston) took a 1-0 pitch deep over the left field wall for his second homerun of the year. Morrison was able to get freshman Zack Leonard (Canton, Ohio-McKinley) to pop out to end the inning.

After being shutout the first three innings, the Owls were able to rattle Hoffman to the tune of five runs on five hits to take the lead 5-2. William Block and Mike McKenna opened the bottom half of the fourth up with back to back singles before Travis Ozga sent a 2-2 pitch over the left field wall. After being hit by a pitch, Tom Hatcher was knocked in by Jeremy Griffiths single to left. Griffiths stole second and was driven in by Nick Arata, who doubled to left center. Hoffman was able to get Daniel Cook to fly out to center to end the innings.

EMU climbed back in the top half of the fifth, cutting the deficit to one at 5-4. Ivan led off with a triple to left center. Mike Boyd (Huntington Woods, Mich.-Berkley) and Rhoad both walked, loading the bases with no outs. Jim Gulliver (Allen Park, Mich.-Allen Park) grounded out to second, scoring Ivan. Boyd crossed the plate with a Bradshaw grounder to first for the second run of the inning for the Eagles.

The Owls answered again, bringing in four more runs on five hits in the bottom half of the fifth stanza. FAU added two more in the sixth to take an 11-4 lead before the Green and White would threaten again.

Down 11-4 in the seventh, Boyd and Rhoad led off with singles before Gulliver was walked to load the bases. Jeff Davis’ (Avondale, Ariz.-Westview) two RBI single through the left side brought the score to 11-6 in favor of the Owls. Brett Cannon was able to work his way out of the seventh, striking out Powell to end the inning and the Eagle rally.

Chris Schmitt relieved Cannon in the ninth, pitching a one-two-three inning to end the game.

The Eagles and Owls continue their series tomorrow at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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