Feb. 24, 2011

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Coming off its second America East championship in three years, the Stony Brook University baseball team kicks off its 2011 season this weekend with a three-game series at Florida Atlantic.

The Matchup
Stony Brook (0-0) at Florida Atlantic (4-1)
FAU Stadium; Boca Raton, Fla.

Probable Starters
Game 1
Friday, February 25 (6:30 p.m.)
Nick Tropeano, RHP (SB) vs. R.J. Alvarez, RHP (FAU)

Game 2
Saturday, February 26 (4 p.m.)
Tyler Johnson (RHP) vs. Jake Meiers, RHP (FAU)

Game 3
Sunday, February 27 (1 p.m.)
TBA (SB) vs. TBA (FAU)

Scouting Florida Atlantic
The preseason pick to win the Sun Belt Conference, Florida Atlantic return eight position starters and two starting pitchers from last year's squad that went 37-24, won the first conference title in program history and advanced to the Gainesville Regional. The Owls swept a three-game series from Hofstra to open their season and are coming off a 7-4 victory over No. 20 Miami on Wednesday.

FAU is led by senior all-american Andy Mee, who became one of the top two-way players in the nation last season. Mee led Florida Atlantic with a .378 batting averaged and also tallied 11 saves in 21 appearances out of the bullpen. Mee is hitting .304 with two home runs and six RBI through five games this season.

FAU returns two starting pitchers from last season's weekend rotation: junior right hander Ryan Garton and sophomore right hander R.J. Alvarez.

Garton, a native of New Port Richey, Fla., compiled a 7-3 record with a 4.87 earned run average after beginning last season in the bullpen. Alvarez, who will start the opener against the Seawolves, has moved into the No. 2 spot in the starting pitching rotation after posting a 3-1 record and 49 strikeouts in 2010.

Last meeting
The Seawolves were swept by FAU in a four-game series to open the 2009 season. Senior Nick DelGuidice went 4-for-4 went four RBI and three runs scored to lead the Owls to a 13-9 win in the series finale. DelGuidice is off to torrid start in 2011 as he went 9-for-12 (.750) with eight RBI in the three-game sweep of Hofstra last weekend.