Feb. 1, 2003

Final Stats

The offensive barrage continued for Florida Atlantic University as they scored eight runs in the second game of the three-game series against Bethune-Cookman College (0-2). Matt Pali hit the team's first home run of the season which proved to be the game winning hit in the eighth inning in FAU's 8-6 win. FAU posted double-digit hits for the second game in a row.

Chris Pillsbury (1-0) earned his first start of the season for FAU (2-0) and struggled early before finding a groove. He gave up two runs on two hits and three walks before he settled down and retired seven-straight. He had a lead to work with in the second inning as FAU scored three runs on two Bethune-Cookman errors.

Rusty Brown continued to hit well as he went 3-for-5 for the second day in a row. But it was Matt Pali that led the team with two RBIs when he hit his first home run of the season to right field. FAU collected 11 hits in the contest but did not capitalize on base runners leaving 12 stranded. A runner was left stranded at third base three times throughout the afternoon.

A late Bethune-Cookman rally in the ninth showed inexperience in the Florida Atlantic bullpen. Three pitchers were used to record the final three outs as the Wildcats posted four runs in the ninth and left the tying run stranded at second base. Chris Saxton came in to get Sharbel Torres to ground out to second and record his first save.

"We have a young bullpen that we are trying to develop," said head coach Kevin Cooney. "We are trying to get some of our pitchers experience and allow them to get their feet wet. Chris Saxton did a great job to finish out both games for us today."

Mumba Rivera took the loss for Bethune-Cookman and falls to 0-1 on the season.

The two clubs will face each other again on Sunday at 1 pm in the final game of the series at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.