BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI – Hunter Wells's two-run single in the top of the seventh inning lifted Louisiana Tech past FIU, 7-5, Thursday night in the Conference USA Championship at MGM Park in Biloxi.

With the loss the Panthers were eliminated from the conference tournament and finished the season 26-28. The Bulldogs (39-19) moved on to face the loser of the Rice and Florida Atlantic game.

FIU entered the top of the seventh ahead 4-3 before LA Tech struck for three runs to take the lead for good.

The Panthers trailed 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning. However, FIU collected four hits and scored three runs in the sixth to take the lead.

Eddie Silva delivered his second RBI single of the game in the sixth. Adan Fernandez's RBI single tied the score 3-3 before Lorenzo Hampton, Jr. doubled off the right field wall to put FIU in front 4-3.

Silva was 2 for 5 with two RBI. Senior Christian Khawam went 2 for 4 and made a spectacular diving catch in left center field in the top of the sixth to rob Mason Robinson of extra bases.

FIU, which led C-USA in home runs, did not hit a round tripper Thursday, but finished the season with 69 long balls. The Panthers' 69 homers tied for sixth most in program history. The 1981 FIU team hit 69 home runs but in four more games (58) than the 2018 FIU team.

FIU pitchers led C-USA in strikeouts with 504, which is the eighth most in program history. The 2018 Panthers pitchers surpassed last year's FIU staff, which had 498 punchouts.