HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Zach Files hit two solo home runs and Williams Durruthy allowed no earned runs in four relief innings to propel FIU to a 3-1 win over Old Dominion in 11 innings Thursday afternoon at the Conference USA Championship in Hattiesburg, Miss.
The Panthers (29-28) survived the elimination game with the Monarchs (32-24) at Pete Taylor Park and move on to face the loser of Marshall/Southern Miss on Friday at 7:30 p.m. EDT. The game can be heard on the FIU Sports Radio Network.
Tied 1-1 in the top of the 11th, Rey Perez scored on a wild pitch after reaching base on a walk and moving over on a sacrifice bunt. Files then launched his second home run of the game a solo shot over the wall in the left field corner to make it 3-1.
Durruthy (3-3), who came into the game in the bottom of the eighth, worked out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the 11th to preserve the victory. Durruthy worked a career-high four innings, allowed three hits, no earned runs and struck out four batters.
Durruthy relieved starter Cody Crouse, who pitched a gem throwing seven shutout innings and allowing just two hits.
The Monarchs tied the score in the bottom of the eighth inning on an FIU error and an RBI single by Kurt Sinnen.
FIU took the early lead in the game with a solo home run by Files in the second inning. It was the Panthers' lone hit until the ninth inning. Files was 2 for 4 and now has seven home runs on the season.
