March 15, 2002

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. -In its first true pitcher's duel of the season, the Miami University (8-4) baseball team dropped a close contest to the Florida Atlantic (15-6) Owls, 2-1. Giving the RedHawks a chance to win on the mound was junior southpaw Chris Leonard, striking out 10 FAU batters in his first complete game of the season.

FAU took advantage of Leonard early in the game before he could settle into his rhythm by scoring its only two runs in the bottom half of the first inning. Center fielder Gabe Somarriba led off the frame with a single to right field and moved over to second when L.J. Biernbaum drew a walk off Leonard. The Red and White faithful saw a rare occurrence when Leonard walked the next batter, Mike Cox, to load the bases with one out. This was all the incentive the Owls needed as left fielder Mike Valdes hit a single to center field, scoring both Somarriba and Biernbaum.

Facing a 2-0 deficit, the RedHawks didn't threaten to score off FAU starter Chris Pillsbury until the seventh inning. Up until the seventh frame, Pillsbury pitched brilliantly which included striking out seven consecutive RedHawks from the second through to the fourth inning. Freshman catcher John Slone started the rally with a one-out single just past the reach of FAU's second basemen. After junior Andi Scheidt struck out swinging, sophomore Ryan Edginton hit a clutch single up the middle to move Slone over the second base. Freshman Sam Sellery entered the contest as a pinch hitter, cold off the bench, and subsequently slapped a pitch to center field to score Slone from second base. The FAU lead was now one, 2-1.

This was all the offense that Miami could muster as Pillsbury closed out the seventh without any more harm to record his fourth victory of the season. In seven innings of work Pillsbury recorded 10 K's, one base on balls, and allowed just one run on five hits. Tim McNab collected his fifth save of the season working a perfect ninth inning. Only walking two FAU batters, both in the first inning, Leonard pitched a strong game for the RedHawks with 10 strikeouts in eight innings.

The RedHawks wrap up their spring break competition with a game tomorrow morning, March 16, against Manhattan at 10:00 a.m.

Printer-friendly format	Email this article