CHARLOTTE — Behind a 16-hit offensive attack and a complete game effort from right-hander Chris Mourelle, FIU evened its series with Charlotte after an 8-5 win Saturday afternoon at Hayes Stadium in Charlotte.

The Panthers (11-12, 1-1 Conference USA) got three straight singles from Irving Lopez, Zack Soria and Kenny Meimerstorf in the top of the sixth inning to snap a 5-5 tie. Meimerstorf drove in Lopez with the go-ahead run. Soria scored on a safety squeeze by Jack Schaaf to give FIU a 7-5 lead. Charlotte right-hander Austin Wynn (0-1) started the sixth inning and was charged with two runs.

After recovering from a rocky bottom of the fifth inning where he gave up four straight singles with two outs that allowed the 49ers (10-9, 1-1 C-USA) to tie the score, Mourelle (3-2) took it from there. The junior tossed four consecutive shutout innings to finish Charlotte and the game. It was Mourelle's third career complete game. He allowed 12 hits, five runs and struck out four.

FIU powered to an early 5-2 lead on the strength of home runs by Nick Day and Zach Files. Day got the Panthers on the board with a solo home run in the top of the second inning. It was Day's team-leading fourth round tripper of the season. Files connected on a two-run shot in the third inning.

Soria was 3 for 3 with an RBI. Files was 2 for 5 with three RBI. Kolby Follis, Schaaf, Day and Lopez each had two hits for the Panthers.

FIU and Charlotte play the rubber game of the series Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. The game can be heard on the FIU Sports Radio Network.