Buoyed by strong relief pitching, FIU rallied late to defeat Jacksonville, 3-2, Tuesday night in the first game of a two-game series at Sessions Stadium in Jacksonville.

Down 2-1 in the top of the eighth inning, the Panthers (10-10) got three straight hits and what proved to be the eventual game-winning hit from Zack Soria to overtake the Dolphins (10-5).

With one out in the top of the eighth, Austin Rodriguez doubled down the left field line off Dolphins closer Mike Cassala (1-2). Zach Files followed with a single that put runners on the corners. Nick Day singled up the middle to score Rodriguez and tie it at 2-2. Day was 2 for 4.

Soria then rapped a hard grounder that ate up JU third baseman Sam Armstrong and rolled into short left field. Files scored from second base on the play that was ruled an error on Armstrong. 

FIU was able to come back and secure the victory thanks to six scoreless innings of three-hit relief from Nate Pearson, Dominic LoBrutto (1-0) and Williams Durruthy. Starter Alex Demchak allowed one earned run in three innings of work.

Pearson threw three shutout innings and struck out six batters. LoBrutto tossed two scoreless innings to get the win and Durruthy pitched a perfect ninth for his second save.

The series concludes Wednesday at 6 p.m. The Panthers and Dolphins series finale can be heard on the FIU Sports Radio Network.