East Carolina at Florida Atlantic
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BOCA RATON, Fla. (Interstat) — East Carolina visits Florida Atlantic on Saturday afternoon in an American Athletic Conference baseball matchup at FAU Baseball Stadium, with the Pirates looking to complete a series sweep after winning the first two games.
East Carolina (32-21-1) has taken control of the four-game set, winning 7-5 on Thursday and 6-1 on Friday. The Pirates hold a 61.50 percent win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system, though the simulator projects a 7-5 Florida Atlantic victory.
Florida Atlantic (28-26-1) seeks to avoid a sweep at home. The Owls have dropped three of their last four games overall but won four of six before the series started.
Pitching Matchup
East Carolina’s Ethan Norby (10 strikeouts in 6.1 innings Friday) has been dominant in his past two outings against the Owls. The right-hander allowed one earned run or fewer in three of his last five starts, including a complete-game shutout bid Friday. However, he gave up five earned runs in consecutive losses to Rice and Memphis earlier this month.
Florida Atlantic’s Kide Adetuyi (two strikeouts in four innings Friday) has been inconsistent. He allowed four earned runs in three innings against Wichita State on May 9 but tossed six shutout innings with seven strikeouts against South Florida on May 2.
Recent History
East Carolina has won three straight meetings dating to last season. The Pirates’ offense scored six runs Friday, led by Michael Kalinich (two hits, two RBIs). Joseph Webb added 1.2 scoreless innings.
Florida Atlantic’s Kyle Boylston had two hits and an RBI in Friday’s loss. Tyler Murphy allowed one run in four innings of relief.
Other Notes
Weather forecast: 88 degrees with clouds. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.
East Carolina enters on a two-game winning streak. The Pirates took two of three from Rice earlier this month and swept a doubleheader against South Florida on April 25.
Florida Atlantic has lost two straight after winning five of six. The Owls defeated Florida Gulf Coast 9-3 on Tuesday before dropping the first two games of this series.
Key Players to Watch
Norby (6-2, 195 pounds) leads East Carolina’s staff with 74 strikeouts over 58 innings. He has allowed 22 earned runs this season.
Adetuyi (6-1, 185) has 42 strikeouts in 48 innings for Florida Atlantic. He has a 4.69 ERA.
Both teams are vying for position in the AAC tournament, which begins later this month. East Carolina is tied for third in the conference standings, while Florida Atlantic sits in seventh.