Send WKU Drops Series Opener to FAU 6-5 in Extra Innings

Posted: 8:00 PM May 4, 2012
Reporter: Melissa Anderson, WKU Athletic Media Relations

BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Western Kentucky University baseball team rallied to tie the game in the eighth before a 10th-inning RBI single by Florida Atlantic catcher Mike Spano lifted the Owls to a 6-5 victory in the series opener Friday night at FAU Stadium.

WKU (19-27, 9-13 Sun Belt Conference) had leads of 3-0 and 4-3 before Florida Atlantic (27-17, 15-5) took pulled in front at 5-4 in the bottom of the fifth. A solo home run by Hilltoppers right fielder Ryan Hutchison knotted the score at 5-5 in the eighth.

Junior right-hander Taylor Haydel (4-4) gave up one run on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts in the final 3-2/3 innings.

Owls closer R.J. Alvarez (5-0) did not allow a hit with a walk and four strikeouts in two shutout innings.

Offensively, Hutchison extended his hitting streak to a career-long nine games with a 2-for-4 night, including a double, a home run and two RBIs. Junior shortstop Steve Hodgins also tallied two RBIs on his first home run of the season. Second baseman Scott Wilcox and center fielder Jared Andreoli accounted for the other two Hilltoppers hits and Wilcox drew a pair of walks.

WKU took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI groundout by Hutchison. Andreoli scored on the play after leading off the game with a single. That single moved the senior into sole possession of fifth on the career hits list, passing Matt Fox (1998-2001).

A two-run home run by Hodgins extended the Hilltopper advantage to 3-0 in the top of the second inning.

Florida Atlantic tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the second inning behind three straight RBI singles by center fielder Geoff Jimenez, Spano and shortstop Mitch Morales.

The Hilltoppers edged in front 4-3 in the top of the third inning on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Ryan Huck.

The Owls tallied two runs in the bottom of the fifth on a two-run single by first baseman Mark Nelson to make the score 5-4.

Hilltoppers sophomore Austin Clay worked six innings in his second league start of the year, giving up five runs - four earned - while walking three and striking out two.

Owls starter Ryan Garton allowed four runs on four hits with three walks and three strikeouts in six innings. Left-hander Ahmed Garcia was touched for one run on one hit in two innings with a strikeout.

The two teams return to action at 3 p.m. Saturday in the second game of the weekend series, WKU will send junior left-hander Tim Bado (4-4, 3.69 ERA) against FAU redshirt sophomore Kevin Alexander (4-0, 2.80).

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