Box Score MIAMI (Feb. 23, 2023) – Baseball opened a four-game series against Missouri on Thursday night beating the Tigers, 4-3.
 
The FIU pitching staff was stellar against Missouri, striking out 11 batters and walking only one. Starter Ryan Cabarcas had another solid outing, striking out four and allowing only one run. Reliever CJ McKennitt earned the win after pitching two scoreless innings and collecting four strikeouts of his own.
 
Junior Ryne Guida's hot started continued as he went 2-4 with a RBI and earned a walk against the Tigers. The leadoff duo of Mike Rosario and Alec Sanchez each earned two hits as both players pushed their hit-streaks to five games.
 
It was an overall positive first inning for the Panthers as they jumped ahead, 2-0.
 
Cabarcas opened the game by sitting down the side in order. A hit and a walk in the bottom of the first would see junior Adrian Figueroa step up and drive in both runs with a single through the right side.
 
Solo home runs in the third and sixth innings by Missouri would tie the score at 2-2.
 
The Panthers quickly regained the advantage with two more runs in the bottom of the seventh.
 
Junior Dante Girardi scored junior Steven Ondina from third with a sacrifice fly to deep center field. Guida then delivered an RBI single through the left side to bring the score to 4-2.
 
McKennitt would come into the game in the seventh and keep Missouri off the board headed into the final frame, punching out three Tigers to close out the top of the eight.
 
Missouri would put up one more run but the Panthers would go on to secure their first win against an SEC opponent since 2018.
 
UP NEXT
FIU is back at FIU Baseball Stadium for game two against Missouri on Friday February 24 with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. Fans can watch the game on C-USA TV.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIU.Baseball), Twitter (@FIUBaseball), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUBaseball) for all the latest Baseball news.
 
General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.