Box Score RUSTON, La. (April 11, 2014) – Junior right-hander Mike Franco surrendered two runs (one earned) early, but retired 18 of his last 19 in a complete game as FIU downed Louisiana Tech on Friday night. The Texas native allowed just four hits and struck out six to earn his fifth victory. The complete game for Franco gives the Panthers four complete games this season.
 
Junior Aramis Garcia homered and drove in two runs in the victory. Junior Josh Anderson tallied two hits and drove in three runs, while senior Zach Sweety went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Franco lowered his season ERA to 1.03.
 
The Panthers got off to a rough start in the first and second inning. Franco surrendered an unearned run in just an eight-pitch first inning. With one out, the second batter in the Bulldog lineup, Ryan Jones, reached on an error. Then on the first pitch to Colby Johnson, Franco seemed to end the inning on a double play groundout. However, catcher's interference was called, giving the Bulldogs runners on first and second with one out. LA Tech's Tyler Ervine then singled in the run to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. Bre'Shon Kimbell then drove in a run on a single in the second to make it 2-0.
 
The Panthers struck in the third inning. Junior Julius Gaines led off the frame with a single and then advanced to second on a walk by freshman J.C. Escarra. Presenting a sacrifice opportunity, Hibbert laid down a bunt to the pitcher, who lofted it over the first baseman's head. Gaines and Escarra scored on the play. Sweety and Garcia each hit sacrifice flies to give FIU a 3-2 lead.
 
Garcia's sixth home run of the year came in the fifth inning, a line drive shot to left. The home run for the Pembroke Pines native gave him his 19th career home run as an FIU catcher, moving him past Tommy Duenas for fourth all-time in FIU history for most home runs by a catcher. The long ball gave FIU a 4-2 lead.
 
Escarra doubled in the seventh and Hibbert singled. LA Tech opted to pitch around Garcia and go after Anderson. Anderson delivered with a double scorched down the right field chalk to score two, upping FIU's lead to 6-2. He added an RBI single in the ninth to give the Panthers a 7-2 advantage.
 
FIU is back in action tomorrow against the Bulldogs. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. ET.
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Twitter (@FIUBaseball) and become a fan on Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUBaseball) for all the latest FIU Baseball news. Follow all of FIU's 18 athletic teams on Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers), and Instagram (FIUathletics).
 
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Fans can purchase tickets online, over the phone by calling 305-FIU-GAME, or in person at the R. Kirk Landon Fieldhouse Box Office. Tickets cost just $5 and group pricing is available for groups of 20 or more. Student admission is free to all FIU baseball home games.
 
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About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including FIU Arena and Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium.
 
About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. Its colleges and schools offer more than 180 bachelor¹s, master¹s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida¹s anchor institutions, FIU is Worlds Ahead in its local and global engagement, finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded 200,000 degrees and enrolls 50,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.