LAS CRUCES, N.M. – FIU's baseball program dropped the middle game of its Conference USA (CUSA) series Friday evening, falling 6-5 to New Mexico State at Presley Askew Field.
FIU (18-35, 9-20 CUSA) fell behind after New Mexico State plated five runs in the third inning and the Aggies held on late to even the series, setting up a rubber match in Saturday's regular season finale.
New Mexico State broke through in the third inning with five runs on an RBI single, a fielder's choice, a two-run double, and another RBI single to take control early.
FIU answered in the seventh inning after Caden Sammler and Luca Reyes each drew walks. Cole Cleveland followed with a single to load the bases before Samuel Fischer delivered an RBI single. Mario Trivella then added a two-run single to trim the deficit to 5-3.
The Aggies responded in the bottom half with a run scoring on a wild pitch, which proved to be the game-winning tally.
FIU mounted one final push in the ninth inning after Trivella singled to begin the frame. Cooper Rasmussen followed with an inside-the-park home run, his 12th homer of the season, to bring the Panthers within one at 6-5, but the comeback attempt fell short.
On the mound, Julian Mlodzinski made his team-leading 13th start of the season, allowing three earned runs over three innings while striking out two. George Adams tossed 2.2 scoreless innings and has now allowed just one run over his last 10.1 innings pitched. Bryce Turner added 2.1 innings without allowing an earned run.
Offensively, FIU totaled eight hits, led by multi-hit performances from Trivella and Rasmussen. Trivella drove in two runs, reaching the 50-RBI mark for the season. Rasmussen reached base three times with a single and the inside-the-park homer.
Fischer each recorded a hit, while Aidan Cohall reached base twice with a single and a walk. Andrew Ildefonso also added a hit, while Sammler walked twice and Reyes added a walk.
UP NEXT
FIU prepares for the regular season finale on Saturday, May 16 at 4 p.m.. It will be streamed live on ESPN+ from Presley Askew Field.
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