By: Michael Demyan
Photo Credit: FAU Athletics
The Florida Atlantic University Owls had won seven-straight heading into Sunday’s away game against the Old Dominion Monarchs, but they weren’t able to hold them off in the late innings and fell by a score of 2-1.
The Owls scored their only run of the game off of a wild pitch from starter Morgan Maguire in the fourth inning, but it looked like it was going to be enough for the win. They had a chance to score again later in the sixth, but a bases loaded double play let the Monarchs escape with no extra damage.
FAU starting pitcher Vince Coletti (1-1, 2.05 ERA) left the game after six, only allowing three hits and a walk while striking out four. Mark Nowatnick came in relief to pitch the seventh, but a hit batter and two costly errors allowed the Monarchs to tie the game on an unearned run.
A two-out rally gave them the lead in the eighth. With a runner on first, Vinnie Pasquantino singled to advance him to third and Will Morgan followed with an RBI single to right.
FAU’s Joe Montes was able to get on base with two outs in the ninth, but FAU was unable to get him home and lost 2-1.
“Today was a disappointing loss after how well the guys played the first two days,” head coach John McCormack said. “Too many mistakes cost us a chance to sweep.”
It was a tough loss for the Owls, but they were nearly on their way to eight-straight victories before the late collapse. Their offense has been on a tear since the winning streak began, entering Sunday’s game with 10 or more runs scored in their past six games.
Even after being limited to six hits during the last game of the series, numerous players are still holding onto hitting streaks, led by shortstop Tyler Frank getting hits in each of his past 15 games. Pedro Pages also left the game with an eight-game streak, while C-USA’s co-hitter of the week, Eric Rivera, has hit safely for seven-straight games.
“Coach Mams (hitting coach Greg Mamula) has worked really hard with them, and they’ve been out here early, working on their day off, (working) by themselves, doing a really good job,” McCormack said.
The Owls currently hold a 15-5 record on the season and after winning two of three against the Monarchs (8-11), their C-USA record sits at 2-1.
FAU’s next game will be a rematch at the University of Miami (9-10) tomorrow at 6 p.m. The two teams faced each other Feb. 28 at FAU Stadium, where the Owls won 5-4. Right-hander Marc Stewart (0-0, 0.00 ERA in four appearances) will take the mound for FAU, while the Hurricanes will be starting right-hander Daniel Federman (1-1, 1.66 ERA).