MIAMI (March 21, 2015) – An offensive explosion of 23 runs on 20 hits lifted the FIU baseball team (10-13, 2-3 C-USA) to a 23-1 win over Charlotte (7-10, 1-7 C-USA) in seven innings. The game ended after seven due to the Conference USA mercy rule on Saturday (15 runs after seven innings).
Junior
Edwin Rios drove in six of FIU's 23 runs, blasting three home runs in the lopsided victory. Rios' three home runs in a single game tied the school record (Mike Martinez vs. Arkansas State – May 8, 2010) as the Orlando, Fla., native became the first C-USA player to record three long balls in a game since Rice's Anthony Rendon on June 5, 2010.
In all, 10 Panthers registered at least one hit, while five FIU batters notched multiple-hit nights. Rios was a perfect 4-for-4 with six RBI and four runs scored. Senior
Brian Portelli went 4-for-5 with four RBI and four runs scored. Sophomore
J.C. Escarra had a 3-for-5 night scoring three runs and driving in one. Senior
Julius Gaines (2-for-4) scored three runs and batted in another, while freshman
Mitchell Robinson (2-of-4) drove in two and scored one.
The Panthers also tallied five home runs in the game. Rios led the way with three followed by Portelli (his first of the season) and freshman
Spencer Levine (the first of his career).
Not to be lost among the offensive output by the Panthers, starter
Andres Nunez threw a soling six-inning outing, allowing just one run while, scattering five hits and striking out eight. For his efforts, Nunez picked up his third win of the season.
The Panthers scored one run in the first, four runs in the second and seven runs in the third to break the game wide open. The 49ers got on the board in the top of the fifth to cut the FIU lead to 12-1, but the Panthers responded with seven runs in their half of the fifth for a 19-1 lead. Four more runs were added in the sixth to make the score 23-1.
With the series tied at 1-1, the rubber match will take place on Sunday, March 22 as right-hander
Chris Mourelle will face left-hander Josh Maciejewski. First pitch from the FIU Baseball Stadium is set for 12:30 p.m.
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