Boca Raton, FL – The Florida Atlantic University baseball team looks to affirm its first-place standing in the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) when it battles rival Troy University in a three-game series, beginning Friday, April 27, at 7 p.m. from Troy, Ala. The Owls lead the league with a 13-3 record, while being 25-15 overall for the season.
The road weekend series will also feature games on Saturday, April 28, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 29, at 2 p.m.
FAU is 7-2 in road conference games this season and has not dropped its first six SBC series. The team won the only game in last weekend’s rain-shortened series with second-place Arkansas State University.
Individually, senior infielder Mike Albaladejoleads the Owls with a .361 batting average, 34 runs and 10 doubles. He is riding a six-game hitting streak and ranks fourth in the SBC with 56 hits.
Junior first baseman Mark Nelson has driven in 36 runs to stand sixth in the conference, and is tied with junior outfielder Corey Kellerwith six home runs. Nelson is hitting at a .292 clip at the plate.
Junior third baseman Kyle Newton is third on the team with a .306 batting average and five home runs. Junior catcher Mike Spanobrings a seven-game hitting streak into this weekend’s series and is hitting at a .304 clip.
On the mound, senior Ryan Gartonhas started the last 24 series-opening games in Sun Belt Conference action. The right hander stands 7-2 on the season with a 2.77 earned run average. Garton also ranks among the league leaders with 58 strikeouts.
Sophomore Kevin Alexander made his first appearance in a month with a starting assignment at the University of Miami on April 24. He is 4-0 with a 1.89 ERA in four starts. Freshman Austin Gomberhas compiled a 3-2 record with a 3.46 earned run average.
In the bullpen, junior reliever R.J. Alvarez picked up his fourth victory of the season by pitching two scoreless innings on April 22. The right hander was named to the midseason watch list for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association’s “Stopper of the Year” Award. Alvarez is 4-0 with a 0.61 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 29.2 innings. Senior Ahmed Garciais another valuable bullpen option with a 2-0 record, 1.67 ERA and two saves in 21 appearances.
Troy, the defending regular-season SBC champions, stands 18-23 overall and 6-12 in conference play. The Trojans’ offensive attack is led by junior infielder Logan Pierce with a .386 batting average and 38 RBIs. Senior outfielder Boone Shear has connected on eight home runs and has a team-best 41 runs driven in. Sophomore infielder Danny Collins also has hit eight home runs this spring. The team’s offense features five .300 hitters in the lineup. The Trojans’ ace pitcher is senior Tyler Ray, Friday night’s projected starter and preseason pick for SBC Pitcher of the Year. The right hander is 3-4 with a 4.78 earned run average. Junior right hander Joe Hernandez (3-2, 5.34 ERA) and junior right hander Ryan Brady (0-3, 3.62 ERA) round out the prospective weekend starting rotation.