DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The FIU baseball program erupted for 12 runs to defeat Bethune-Cookman, 12-5, on Tuesday evening at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
After falling behind 4-0 in the first inning, FIU responded in dominant fashion, highlighted by a seven-run fourth inning to fuel the comeback. The victory marks the Panthers' third straight win and first midweek triumph of the 2026 season.
FIU got on the board in the third when
Aris Rivera and
Andrew Ildefonso recorded back-to-back base hits before
Cole Cleveland lifted a sacrifice fly to left-center, trimming the deficit to 4-1.
The Panthers broke the game open in the fourth. After
Mario Trivella and
Samuel Fischer drew walks,
Vicente Feliciano launched a three-run home run to right-center to tie the contest at four. Later in the inning with the bases loaded,
Aidan Cohall lined a double into the left-center gap, driving in Cleveland and Ildefonso to give FIU its first lead of the night. Two wild pitches capped the seven-run frame, extending the advantage to 8-4.
FIU added to its lead in the sixth when Fischer was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, followed by a Rivera sacrifice fly to push the margin to six. Trivella added a sacrifice fly in the seventh before Feliciano connected on his second home run of the game — and third in his last two contests — to stretch the lead to 12-4.
Bethune-Cookman scratched across a run in the ninth, but FIU closed out the 12-5 victory.
Jordan Vargas made his first start of the season, tossing three innings with one strikeout.
Enrique Sierra earned the win in relief after delivering two scoreless innings with four strikeouts.
Tracen Cameron added two scoreless frames, while
Mason Koczwara struck out the side in a scoreless outing.
Tyler Mecchella and
Rene Lastres each made their 2026 debuts.
Offensively, FIU recorded nine hits, with Cohall and Feliciano leading the way with two-hit performances. Feliciano posted his first multi-home run game, while Cohall registered his second consecutive multi-hit effort, including two doubles. Fischer reached base four times with two walks and two hit-by-pitches. Trivella added an RBI and a walk.
In total, FIU drew nine walks and was hit by six pitches.
UP NEXT
FIU hosts the Holy Cross Crusaders for a four-game weekend series from Feb. 20 - Feb. 22 at FIU Baseball Stadium. First pitch on Friday, Feb. 20 is set for 6 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.
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