MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – A five-run fourth inning powered the FIU baseball program to a 6-5 victory over Middle Tennessee on Saturday afternoon, evening the Conference USA (CUSA) series.
Trailing 4-1 entering the fourth, the Panthers (18-10, 3-2 CUSA) erupted with five runs on five hits, highlighted by a go-ahead home run from Kishon Frett. The FIU pitching staff then stifled the Blue Raiders (14-12, 2-3 CUSA) to secure the team's third conference win of the season. The victory marks FIU's first in Murfreesboro since May 16, 2021.
Middle Tennessee struck early, plating four runs in the first inning on a two-run double, a wild pitch, and an RBI groundout. FIU responded in the third when Andrew Ildefonso grounded out to third, bringing home Alex Ulloa for the Panthers' first run.
The fourth inning proved decisive. Albert Serrano walked, and Brendan Roney followed with a single to put two on. Ulloa then delivered a two-run single to center, extending his recent hot streak with eight RBIs over the past three games. Frett followed with a towering blast to left—his team-leading ninth home run—giving FIU the lead. Javier Crespo capped off the inning with an RBI double into the right-center gap, driving in what would be the game-winning run.
The Blue Raiders trimmed the deficit with a sacrifice fly in the fifth, but FIU's bullpen held firm to secure the road win.
Tracen Cameron made his first career start on the mound, throwing three innings with four earned runs and one strikeout. David Eckaus (1-0) picked up his first win of the season, allowing just one earned run over 1.2 innings. Juan Villarreal shut the door with four scoreless innings, surrendering just one hit while striking out five to earn his second save. The junior has now thrown 7.1 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run.
FIU's offense tallied 11 hits, with four players recording multi-hit games. Ulloa led the way with two hits and two RBIs, extending his six-game stretch to 11 hits and 11 RBIs. Brylan West contributed two singles, while Ildefonso notched a double and a base hit. Roney added an extra-base hit, while Crespo, Frett, and Serrano each recorded hits in the win.
UP NEXT
FIU prepares for the series finale tomorrow at 2 p.m. in Murfreesboro, Tenn. It will be streamed live on ESPN+ from Reese Smith Jr. Field.
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