Logan Allen pitched eight solid innings and FIU scored three runs in the fifth inning to rally past Old Dominion in the opener of a three-game series at Infinity Insurance Park on Friday night.

The Panthers improved to 11-13 and 2-2 in Conference USA play. The Monarchs are now 8-12 and 1-3 in league play.

Allen (4-1) retired 12 of the last 13 batters he faced, getting stronger as the game wore on to record his team-leading fourth win of the season.

Allen pitched eight innings, allowed three earned runs, walked just one batter and struck out a season-high nine batters.

Steven Casey locked up the FIU win with a scoreless ninth to record his first collegiate save.

The Panthers were down 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth when they came back. Derek Cartaya and Austin Shenton started the frame with back-to-back singles. The pair scored on a game-tying two-run double by Jose Garcia.

Garcia came home with the decisive run when Monarchs center fielder Matt Schwarz dropped a fly ball off the bat of Adan Fernandez, who hit a solo home run in the second inning.

Five Panthers each had two hits in the game. Cartaya, Shenton, Garcia and Will Saxton were each 2 for 4. Juan Teixeira was 2 for 3.

FIU and ODU play the middle game of the series Saturday at 6 p.m.