MIAMI - The FIU baseball program scored three runs in the eighth inning in a tied ballgame, coming away with a 7-4 victory Saturday night over Florida Atlantic from FIU Baseball Stadium.
After the Panthers loaded the bases with one out in the inning,
Brendan Roney earned a RBI on a hit by pitch before
Andre Martinez stung a ball to the shortstop scoring two runs. Ryan Cabarcas closed the door in the ninth to ensure FIU's ninth win of the campaign.
The Owls jumped out to a early lead in the first as John Schroder hit a grand slam over the left field wall. FIU would slowly rally back, tacking on a pair of runs in the second on a two-run knock off the bat of
Jeff Liquori.
Into the third,
Kishon Frett belted a solo shot to deep centerfield for his team-leading 6th home run of the season, cutting the deficit to one. FIU tied up the ballgame in the fourth, following a
Chase Engelhard double to left center, he then advanced to third on a balk, paving way for a RBI groundout off the bat of Roney.
The Panthers pitching dominated after a shaky first as they gave up no earned runs as a staff on the night. Starter
Owen Puk struck out seven of his nine batters faced, allowing no earned runs on two hits through three innings.
The one-two duo of
Orlando Hernandez and Cabarcas continued to shine as Hernandez rocketed four scoreless frames allowing just a single hit. Cabarcas earned his second win of the season closing out the night with two scoreless innings of relief.
This season, Hernadnez and Cabarcas have combined to give up just three runs over 22 innings.
Off the bench,
Austin Dearing had himself a two-hit performance including a key hit in the eight to help ignite the rally. In addition, Engelhard, Frett, Liquori, Martinez, and
Brylan West all logged hits on Saturday night.
UP NEXT
FIU heads out to Boca Raton on Sunday to close out the three-game weekend contest with the Owls. First pitch is set for noon and can be streamed on FAUSports.TV
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