MIAMI (May 6, 2023) – The FIU baseball team dropped game two against Western Kentucky, 7-2, on Saturday, as the Hilltoppers tied the series at 1-1.
 
Catcher Craig Palidar had a strong day in the batter's box, going 2-4 with two RBI. Brian Loriga also swung the bat well going 3-4 on the day.
 
Western Kentucky took the lead in the top of the first. Tristin Garcia hit a RBI double down the left field line and Lukas Farris delivered a RBI single into left field to put the Hilltoppers up 2-0.
 
FIU had an immediate response, scoring a run in the second inning. Two fielder's choice plays put Adrian Figueroa on third with two outs. Palidar sent the second pitch he saw into center field to cut the WKU advantage in half.
 
Western Kentucky moved its advantage to 4-1 off a two-run Farris home run in the third inning.
 
The Panthers again found a response, making the score 4-2 after the fourth.
 
Loriga put himself into scoring position with a double. Palidar stepped up again, this time with a single past the Hilltopper third baseman to score Loriga.
 
A FIU error in the top of the fifth allowed a fifth Western Kentucky run.
 
The Hilltoppers would score two more runs in the eighth. RBI singles from Aidan Gilroy and Garcia secured the 7-2 victory for WKU.
 
UP NEXT
The FIU vs. WKU series comes to an end on Sunday May 7 with first pitch set for 12 p.m. Fans can watch the game live 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.