HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- No. 21 Southern Miss scored five runs in the bottom of the third inning to take control and defeat FIU, 15-4, Friday night at Pete Taylor Park in the opening game of a three-game series in Hattiesburg.

The Panthers (17-13, 5-5 Conference USA) took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third inning when Zack Soria hit a two-run home run off Golden Eagles starter Kirk McCarty (5-2).

However, in the bottom half of the inning USM (25-6, 9-1) had five consecutive batters reach base against FIU starter Chris Mourelle (2-2) and scored five runs to go ahead 6-2. The key hit in the inning was a three-run triple by Matt Wallner.

Mourelle lasted four innings, allowed five hits and seven runs. McCarty pitched seven innings, allowed six hits and four runs.

FIU cut the USM lead to 7-4 in the sixth after Soria doubled and Kenny Meimerstorf singled home the FIU catcher. Meimerstorf later scored in the inning on a wild pitch.

But it was as close as the Panthers came. The Golden Eagles added two runs in the sixth and five runs in the eighth.

Soria was 3 for 4 with two RBI and for the second time this season fell a hit shy of the cycle. Soria needed a triple in his final at-bat for the cycle but struck out. Back on March 9, Soria needed a home run for the cycle against Stetson but doubled in his final at-bat.

The middle game of the three-game set between FIU and USM is Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. EDT.