FIU rallied from six runs down to defeat No. 17 Florida Atlantic, 7-6, Friday night in the opening game of a three-game series at the FIU ballpark. The first meeting this season between the Panthers and Owls took five hours and three minutes to complete due in part to a one hour and 48 minute lightning delay.
 

Zach Files's sacrifice fly off Devon Carr (3-1) brought home Jack Schaaf in the bottom of the eighth inning with the go-ahead run. Schaaf and Zack Soria singled with one out in the eighth and each advanced a base on a wild pitch to set up the decisive RBI.
 

From the outset it seemed like FAU (27-9, 11-5 Conference USA) would continue to have FIU's number. After all, the Owls won 20 of the last 29 games against FIU (18-21, 6-10 C-USA) coming into Friday.
 

FAU jumped on FIU starter Cody Crouse for six runs, five earned in the first 3 2/3 innings of the game. The Owls scored two runs in the first on RBI hits by CJ Chatham and Christian Dicks. FAU added four more runs in the second inning highlighted by a two-run double by Billy Endris.
 

However, that was all FAU would score thanks to Andres Nunez, the former Friday starter who came on in relief of Crouse. Nunez (3-2) pitched 4 1/3 shutout innings, allowed three hits and struck out four batters. Williams Durruthy earned his fourth save with a scoreless ninth inning.
 

After a scoreless first inning, FIU chipped away at the FAU lead scoring in every inning but the seventh. Kenny Meimerstorf led the Panthers going 3 for 4. Nick Day and Soria were each 2 for 4. Day had two RBI. Files also drove in two runs.
 

The series continues Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. when right-hander Chris Mourelle takes the ball for FIU against left-hander Brandon Rhodes. The game can be seen on PantherVision and heard on the FIU Sports Radio Network.