Mann Shuts Down NC State

June 5, 2004

Coral Gables, Fla. (hurricanesports.com) – Sophomore right hander Will Mann recorded the first complete game of his career as third-seeded Florida Atlantic defeated second-seeded North Carolina State, 10-2, Saturday evening in Game Five of the NCAA Coral Gables Regional at Mark Light Field.

Florida Atlantic improves to 47-16 and will face the top-seeded University of Miami on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the Championship game of the Coral Gables Regional. North Carolina State is eliminated from the Coral Gables Regional and ends its season with a 36-24 record.

Mann improved to 5-0 this season allowing two runs on eight hits while striking out nine and walking two. NC State starter Joey Devine (0-4) gave up seven runs, six earned, on five hits over 3.0 innings in the loss.

Florida Atlantic took the lead in the bottom of the third inning when sophomore left fielder Tim Mascia doubled to right center field scoring Derek Hutton and Jeff Fiorentino.

The Blue Wave broke the game open in the fourth putting five runs across highlighted by a two-run single to left field by Hutton. Hutton, who went 2 for 5 on the night, added another RBI single in fifth as Florida Atlantic added two more runs to push the lead to 9-0.

North Carolina State mounted a rally in the sixth inning scoring two runs, but with the bases loaded and two outs Florida Atlantic starter Will Mann struck out freshman third baseman Eric Taylor swinging to end the threat.