MARIETTA, Ga. – The FIU baseball program wrapped up its weekend series at Kennesaw State with a 10-3 loss on Saturday afternoon at S. Walter Kelly Sr. Memorial Field.
The Owls (20-19, 10-5 CUSA) jumped out to an early lead with a three-run first inning and never looked back, securing the series sweep over the Panthers (22-17, 6-8 CUSA) in the programs' first-ever meeting.
Kennesaw State opened the scoring with a two-run triple followed by an RBI groundout in the first. The Owls added another run in the second on a fielder's choice to make it 4-0. FIU responded in the third, as Austin Dearing grounded out to first, driving in Brylan West to cut the deficit to 4-1.
The Owls extended their lead with two more runs in the third on a fielder's choice and a sacrifice fly, followed by a solo home run in the fourth to go up 7-1. In the sixth, Kennesaw State added two more runs via an error to make it 9-1.
FIU scored twice in the eighth inning, with Javier Crespo delivering an RBI double down the right field line and Cole Cleveland following with an RBI single. Kennesaw State closed the scoring in the bottom of the eighth with a solo homer.
On the mound, Juan Villarreal (6-2) took the loss in his fourth start of the season, allowing three earned runs over two innings with one strikeout. Jarek Woodward gave up three runs in 1.2 innings, while David Eckaus tossed 1.2 innings with one earned run. Kevin Martin provided 1.2 scoreless innings with a strikeout, while Julian Mlodzinski and Bryce Turner also saw action. Turner recorded his second straight appearance, allowing one run and striking out one over an inning.
Offensively, the Panthers registered nine hits, with four players recording multi-hit performances: Cleveland, Crespo, Dearing, and West. Andrew Ildefonso also added a hit. Dearing extended his hitting streak to eight games, while Kishon Frett was hit by a pitch in the third inning, setting a new FIU single-season record with 20 hit-by-pitches.
UP NEXT
FIU hits the road back to Fort Myers, Fla. to take on the FGCU Eagles on Tuesday, April 22. First pitch from Swanson Stadium is set for 2 p.m.
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