FIU right-hander Robert Garcia pitched a one-hitter over seven innings, struck out a career-high nine batters and FIU got a season-high in runs to bash the University of Miami, 12-1, Tuesday night at Mark Light Field in Coral Gables.

The 12-1 win was the largest margin of victory for FIU (6-6) against Miami (4-7) in the crosstown series that started in 1973. The previous largest win for FIU against UM was 17-10 in 2001 in Coral Gables.

Garcia, a senior making his second collegiate start, had a no-hitter through six innings before Carl Chester singled to center for the first Hurricane hit.

After walking the first two UM batters in the bottom of the first inning, Garcia retired 17 consecutive Hurricanes before Johnny Ruiz led off the bottom of the seventh with a walk. Garcia got out of the seventh with the shutout in tow.

Garcia (1-2) recorded his first college win after pitching a career-high seven shutout innings and allowing one hit. Alex Demchak pitched the final two frames for FIU.

With Garcia on the mound, the Panthers didn't need much offense but they did score a season-high in runs.

FIU scratched out a run without a hit in the top of the first. Irving Lopez walked, stole a base. Javier Valdes and Kenny Meimerstorf were each hit by a pitch to load the bases. JC Escarra delivered a sacrifice fly off UM starter Gregory Veliz (0-1) scoring Lopez with the game's first run.

FIU opened the floodgates in the sixth and eighth innings. The Panthers scored four runs in the sixth. Escarra hit a solo home run to lead off the sixth. Zach Files doubled, Adam Sevario singled and Derek Cartaya's squeeze bunt scored Files. Lopez followed with a two-run double plating Sevario and Cartaya to make it 5-0 FIU.

The Panthers put together a seven-run, eighth inning. Eddie Silva hit a two-run home run over the scoreboard in left. Valdes had a two-run single. Meimerstorf had an RBI double and Escarra capped off the scoring with a two-run single.

Lopez was 2 for 4 with two RBI. Escarra was 2 for 2 with four RBI. Files and Sevario each had two hits in FIU's 12-hit attack.

The Panthers and Hurricanes resume the crosstown series Wednesday night at the FIU ballpark with a 7 p.m. first pitch. UM right-hander Evan McKendry goes against FIU right-hander Tyler Myrick.

The game can be seen on PantherVision and C-USA TV.