BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — FIU swept a doubleheader from Western Kentucky by scores of 8-7 in each game of the twin bill Friday at Nick Denes Field in Bowling Green, Ky. FIU had an identical line score in each game of eight runs, 14 hits and zero errors.
The Panthers (22-23, 9-11 Conference USA) rallied in each game against the Hilltoppers (23-20, 9-11 C-USA), including a comeback in the nightcap when they were down to their final strike and final out.
GAME 2: FIU 8, WKU 7
Trailing 7-6 in the top of the ninth inning and down to its final strike and its final out, FIU got a clutch RBI single from
Nick Day off WKU closer Jackson Sowell to tie the score. Down 1-2 in the count, Day shortened his swing and dropped a bloop single to right center scoring
Jack Schaaf.
Irving Lopez followed with an opposite field single to give FIU the 8-7 lead.
Left-hander
Dominic LoBrutto (2-2) presented FIU a chance to rally by limiting the damage in the bottom of the eighth inning. LoBrutto inherited from
Michael Agis runners on the corners with no outs. The Hilltoppers scored the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice in between strikeouts by LoBrutto.
Williams Durruthy pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record his second save of the day.
The top of the ninth inning was the second time the Panthers came back in the second game of the doubleheader. FIU was behind 6-5 in the top of the seventh inning when
Zack Soria singled and stole second base on a failed pickoff attempt.
Zach Files ripped a single up the middle to even the score.
FIU collected 14 hits in game two. Files was 3 for 5 with two RBI.
Nick Mira was 2 for 4 with three RBI. Lopez, Day and Schaaf each had two hits.
GAME 1: FIU 8, WKU 7
FIU set the tone for comebacks in the doubleheader in game one. The Panthers trailed 5-0 after three innings in the first game of the series. However, FIU chipped away at the WKU lead.
Down 6-4 with one out in the top of the eighth inning,
Austin Rodriguez laid down a bunt single by the third base line. Schaaf followed with a two-run home run over the right field fence.
Kolby Follis then singled and moved to second base on an errant pickoff throw to first base. With two outs, Soria poked a single to right field to score Follis with the go-ahead run.
In the top of the ninth inning, Follis executed a perfect squeeze bunt hugging the first base line to score Day.
Cody Crouse (3-1) started the opener and after a rough first four innings settled down. Crouse retired 10 of the last 12 batters he faced. The junior right-hander pitched seven innings, allowed 13 hits, six runs, one walk, and struck out six.
Like game two, FIU banged out 14 hits in game one. Schaaf was 3 for 5.
Eddie Silva, Day and Follis each had two hits in the first game.
FIU goes for the sweep of WKU on Saturday at 3 p.m. The game can be heard on the FIU Sports Radio Network.
