MIAMI (Feb. 13, 2015) – With the bases loaded and one out in the top of the ninth, sophomore
Williams Durruthy closed the door on the Volunteers, striking out the next two batters he faced to give FIU (1-0) a 4-3 victory over No. 25 Tennessee (0-1) on Friday evening at the FIU Baseball Stadium.
The Panthers entered the ninth inning with a one-run lead thanks to an errant throw two innings earlier by Vols pitcher Steven Kane. The right-hander attempted to pick off a runner at first with his throw getting past the first baseman, resulting in
Jack Schaaf's second run of the game.
Making his FIU debut, Schaaf went 1-for-2 with two runs and two walks. Schaaf was one of five Panthers that registered a hit in the contest, including senior
Josh Anderson, who drove in two runs.
FIU, which trailed 2-0 through the opening five and a half innings, scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 3-2 advantage. The Panthers were able to take advantage of two Tennessee errors in a frame that was highlighted by a two-RBI single by Anderson.
Tennessee tied the game a 3-3, following a bases-loaded walk in the top of the seventh. The Panthers responded with the go-ahead run in their half of the inning on the Kane error and held on for the season-opening win.
The win improved FIU to 29-14 in season-openers and tied the series history with the Volunteers at 4-4.
FIU finished the night, scoring four runs on five hits. Tennessee tallied three runs on seven hits. Both teams combined for nine errors as the Panthers committed four, while the Volunteers notched five.
Junior
Danny Dopico collected his first win of the season, throwing one and two-thirds inning of action, allowing no runs, on no hits and striking out six. Durruthy, who pitched two-thirds of the ninth inning, struck out two for his first save of the season.
Starter
Cody Crouse, lasted five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits, while striking out six.
As a staff, FIU registered 16 strikeouts in the game.
Kane was saddled with the loss, allowing one run on three hits, while striking out three.
FIU and Tennessee will play game two of this weekend's three-game set on Saturday, Feb. 14. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. Freshman right-hander
Garrett Cave will take the mound for the Panthers and will face the Volunteer's Drake Owenby.
For ticket information for this weekend's series as well as the entire FIU baseball season, call 305-FIU-GAME (348-4263) or log onto
www.FIUSports.com.
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