C.J. Witkowski ripped a two-run double off Casey Sutton down the right field line to push FIU past Louisiana Tech, 6-3, Sunday afternoon at the FIU ballpark.

The Panthers (27-23, 11-13 Conference USA) won the series finale over the Bulldogs (32-15, 13-11).

With the score tied 3-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Kenny Meimerstorf singled off Sutton (5-4) to lead off the frame. Zack Soria's sacrifice bunt moved Meimerstorf to second base and Javier Valdes was intentionally walked.

Derek Cartaya was the next scheduled batter but Witkowski pinch-hit for the freshman. On the first pitch from Sutton, Witkowski laced the eventual game-winning double past LA Tech first baseman Jonathan Washam and into right field. Meimerstorf scored easily and Valdes hustled around the bases to score as well. FIU led 5-3.

Adam Sevario pinch-ran for Witkowski and scored after Sutton balked.

Alex Demchak (4-1) took it from there. Demchak relieved FIU starter Tyler Myrick with two outs in the top of the eighth and proceeded to strike out all four batters that the left-hander faced.

Myrick went a career-high 7 2/3 innings, allowed seven hits and three runs on a three-run home run by Raphael Gladu that tied the score in the top of the eighth.

FIU orchestrated a 3-0 lead before the eighth.

Meimerstorf hit a solo home run off LA Tech starter Matt Miller in the second inning to make it 1-0 FIU.

Jack Schaaf had an RBI double in the fifth scoring Nick Day, who walked to lead off the inning.

Irving Lopez drove in Cartaya, who pinch-ran for Day in the seventh after Day singled, with a single to left center that staked the Panthers to a 3-0 advantage.

Meimerstorf was 2 for 3, including his eighth home run of the season. JC Escarra was 0 for 4, which snapped his 16-game hitting streak.

ON DECK
FIU travels to Norfolk, Va. to open a three-game series with Old Dominion on Friday.