HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Robert Fajardo scored on a wild pitch in the top of the eighth inning to spark Marshall to a 7-6 win over FIU in an elimination game at the Conference USA Championship in Hattiesburg, Miss.

The Panthers ended their 2016 season in Pete Taylor Park at 29-29. The Thundering Herd (34-20) advances to play Southern Miss on Saturday.

With the score tied 6-6 in the top of the eighth, FIU reliever Robby Kalaf (0-1) struck out Fajardo but the third strike was a wild pitch allowing the Marshall right fielder to reach first base.

Fajardo moved to third base on another wild pitch. Dominic LoBrutto came on to get Corey Bird but not before the left-hander's wild pitch allowed Fajardo to cross home plate with the go-ahead run.

FIU had a chance to tie the score in the bottom of the eighth inning. With Kolby Follis at second base with two outs, Zach Files reached on an infield single to deep short. Marshall shortstop Leo Valenti's throw was late and pulled first baseman Tommy Lane off the bag. Follis rounded third and was waved home but Lane threw him out at the plate to preserve the one-run lead for the Herd.

Down 6-2, FIU tied the score with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and another run in the seventh. Austin Rodriguez blasted a three-run home run in the sixth. Files doubled in the seventh and scored on an RBI single by Irving Lopez to make it 6-6.

Marshall closer Burris Warner (3-1) pitched three shutout innings to finish the Panthers.

Nick Day and Lopez each went 3 for 5. Day had two doubles. Lopez had two RBI. Lopez finished the season leading FIU in hitting at .335. Day was second on the team hitting at .318.

Freshman Nate Pearson made his first collegiate start and went three innings, allowed seven hits, four earned runs, two walks and struck out four.