Box Score Buoyed by a three-run rally in the top of the 10th inning, No. 19 Rice edged FIU, 6-5 in 10 innings to take game two of the three-game series at the FIU Baseball Stadium on Saturday evening.

Down 3-1 in the bottom of the ninth inning, FIU opened the frame with consecutive hits by Zach Sweety and Edwin Rios. Sweety singled off Rice starter Jordan Stephens and Rios followed with a double off Owls closer Zech Lemond. One batter later, Aramis Garcia sliced a two-run single to right center to tie the score 3-3.

Rice (9-6) picked up three runs in the top of the 10th to take a 6-3 lead. With two outs in the bottom of the 10th, FIU (7-8) rallied for two runs off Lemond to close the gap to 6-5. Sweety had an RBI single to drive in Tyler Hibbert, who singled with one out. Roche Woodard brought home Sweety with an RBI double to left center.

However, Lemond finished off the Panthers. With Woodard, the potential tying run at second base, Lemond induced T.J Shantz to ground out to third base to end the game.
Garcia (photo above) led the Panthers going 3 for 4 with three RBI and his team-leading third home run. Garcia tied Shantz and Josh Anderson for the team lead in home runs with a solo blast that hit off the scoreboard in left center in the second inning.

Sweety and Oscar Aguirre each had two hits for FIU. Left-hander Ty Sullivan started for the Panthers. Sullivan pitched a career-high 6 2/3 innings, allowed one earned run and struck out seven batters.

The Panthers and the Owls conclude the three-game series Sunday morning with a special 11 a.m. game time at the FIU Baseball Stadium. You can watch and listen to all FIU baseball home games on PantherVision.