BOWLING GREEN, KY. – Eddie Silva hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning to lift FIU past Western Kentucky, 10-6, Friday afternoon at Nick Denes Field in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Silva hit the second of three FIU home runs on the day as the Panthers (23-25, 12-12 Conference USA) won the first game of a three-game series with the Hilltoppers (21-27, 11-14 C-USA). FIU increased 

With FIU down 6-5 in the seventh, Logan Allen reached on an infield single off WKU reliever Michael Martin. The single was the third of four hits for the freshman, who was 4 for 5.

One batter later, WKU sidearmer right-hander Conner Boyd (0-1) entered the game to pitch to Silva. Boyd had Silva in an 0-2 hole, but on a 2-2 pitch FIU's home run leader deposited the baseball well over the left field wall for his 13^th homer of the season. FIU led 7-6.

In the top of the eighth inning with two outs, Seth Cannady and Derek Cartaya delivered back-to-back singles off Jacob Green. Allen came up and was down 0-2 in the count before fouling off three straight pitches. On the next offering Allen cracked a three-run home run to make it 10-6 FIU.

Adan Fernandez hit the first of three home runs for the Panthers. The freshman right fielder hit a two-run shot in the fourth to snap a 2-2 tie. It was Fernandez's eighth of the season.

Andres Nunez started for FIU and went six innings, allowed 10 hits, six runs, two walks and struck out six. Nunez (6-2) did pick up his team-leading sixth win of the season in part because Nick MacDonald protected at the time a one-run lead.

After Will Saxton allowed a leadoff single in the seventh, MacDonald relieved and retired all eight batters he faced to record his first collegiate save.
MacDonald induced a 5-4-3 double play from pinch hitter Richard Constantine, the first batter he faced. The sophomore right-hander struck out five over three perfect innings.

FIU and WKU play the middle game of the series Saturday at 2 p.m. EDT.