DELAND, Fla. – On National Pi Day, FIU used a relentless 12-hit attack to ease past Stetson, 9-0, Tuesday night in the opener of a two-game series at Melching Field in DeLand.
The Panthers (10-7) put up plenty of numbers against the Hatters (7-11) on Pi Day -- the annual celebration of the mathematical constant (pi) observed on March 14 (3/14 in the month/day date format). 3, 1, and 4 are the first three digits of the pi constant.
FIU catcher
Zack Soria led the way just missing hitting for the cycle. Soria was 4 for 5 with an RBI, collecting a single, two doubles and a triple. Soria came up in the ninth with a chance at the home run to earn the cycle but instead doubled into the left center field gap and later scored on a single by
Kolby Follis. Only one FIU player has ever hit for the cycle -- Joe Hughes accomplished the feat in 1980 against Central Florida.
Kenny Meimerstorf, who was 3 for 4 with two RBI, delivered the first run of the game for FIU when he singled off Hatters starter Ryan Stark (1-2) to drive home
Derek Cartaya in the top of the first inning. Cartaya singled to start the game. Meimerstorf is hitting .391.
Zach Files made it 3-0 in the fourth with a two-run double scoring Meimerstorf and Soria, who singled and doubled, respectively. Files was 2 for 3 with three RBI and continued his torrid stretch at the plate hitting .394 on the season.
Up 4-0 in the sixth, Soria led off the frame with a triple to right center and Files brought him home with a single to right.
FIU freshman starter
Nick MacDonald didn't need much support with another nifty outing. MacDonald (2-0) went six innings, allowed three hits and struck out six. At one point in the game, MacDonald retired 14 of 16 batters.
Willy Fabra,
Alex Demchak and
Cain Spangler finished the shutout for FIU. It was the third shutout tossed by the FIU staff this season.
FIU and Stetson wrap up the two-game series Wednesday at 6 p.m. from Melching Field. The Panthers then head home to start Conference USA play against Charlotte Friday at 7 p.m.
