MIAMI (March 22, 2019) – Once again, Logan Allen was masterful on the mound Friday night for the FIU baseball team. Allen pitched 8.2 innings of one unearned run ball as the Panthers bettered WKU 2-1 in the Conference USA home opener.

FIU improved to 11-10 for 2019 and 2-2 in conference play, while WKU fell to 9-11 on the season and 1-3 in league action. 

Allen's dominant performance of 11 strikeouts against five hits pushed the sophomore's earned run scoreless streak to 31 innings and his season record to 3-1. Eric Crawford of WKU suffered the loss for the Hilltoppers.
 
Javier Valdes played hero for the Panthers in the batter's box, going 3-for-3 on the night with what proved to be the eventual game-winning homer in the sixth. The FIU trio of Derek Cartaya, Austin Shenton and John Rodriguez each had a base knock for the Panthers. Jose Garcia did not record an official AB on the night, but walked twice.

FIU came out the gates fast with a Cartaya leadoff single through the right side. The junior advanced to third on a pair of passed balls to set up Shenton's RBI single to give FIU the 1-0 lead in the first inning. The RBI was Shenton's team-leading 19th on the season.
 
A pitcher's duel ensued after the first inning until Valdes hit a no-doubter, leadoff home run to left to give FIU a 2-0 lead in the sixth.
 
Things got interesting when Allen surrendered an unearned run in the ninth that led to Jan Figueroa earning a one-out save for his second of the season.
 
UP NEXT
Game two between the Panthers and the Hilltoppers is set for 6:00 p.m. ET on Saturday evening at the FIU Baseball Stadium.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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