MIAMI (March 6, 2015) – In the opening game of a three-game set with UConn, the FIU baseball team (7-6) fell to the Huskies (5-5), 4-1, on Friday evening from the FIU Baseball Stadium.
Held to just two hits on the night, FIU was unable to solve UConn right-hander Carson Cross, who tossed a complete game, allowing one run on two hits, while striking out 15.
The Panthers got on the board early, scoring the game's first run in the bottom of the first as senior
Brian Portelli drove in freshman
Jack Schaaf (1-for-4) on a sacrifice fly. Schaaf opened the contests with a leadoff double. However, Cross retired 18-straight FIU batters after the Springboro, Ohio, native's extra-base hit. Senior
Julius Gaines (1-of-4) snapped the streak with a leadoff single in the bottom of the seventh.
UConn tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the second with a solo shot by Vinny Siena. The Huskies added three more runs in the top of the third to take a 4-1 lead. The three run advantage was enough cushion for Cross, who allowed just one FIU base runner to reach third (Schaaf in the first inning).
Sophomore
Cody Crouse (1-1) suffered the loss, allowing four runs on six hits in five innings of work. The Valrico, Fla., native struck out three and walked two.
Both teams will be back at it on Saturday with first pitch set for 6:00 p.m. Freshman right-hander
Andres Nunez will take the hill for the Panthers, while left-hander Anthony Kay will get the start of the Huskies.
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