FIU’s bullpen could not contain Kennesaw State. The Panthers allowed eight runs in the fifth inning and forced a run rule, losing 13-3 as FIU extends their losing streak to three games.
Even more concerning than the loss itself might be the status of pitcher Owen Puk. He was unable to start the fourth inning for FIU due to an undisclosed injury. Before the incident, Puk pitched in three innings, only giving up one hit and two runs (one earned) while striking out six batters.
That takes us to the fifth inning. The game was tied 2-2 at that point. For FIU, they got their runs off an RBI flyout from Brylan West in the first inning, then Andrew Ildefonso reached on a throwing error, which sent West home in the fourth.
When It Stopped Being Fun
The gates were blown open in the fifth. The Owls scored on three singles, a double, an RBI groundout, and a walk with the bases loaded. Logan Runde was on the mound for the Panthers and allowed six runs. He was quickly pulled, with Trace Cameron finishing the inning, though allowing the other two runs.
It wasn’t all bad. Kishon Frett is still on a heater, smacking a home run to left field – his 15th dinger of the season – in the sixth inning. That was the last run of the game for FIU, however. The Owls added additional runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. The latter was a home run in walkoff fashion as the game was called early by a final score of 13-3.
Is The Sky Starting To Fall?
All in all, this has been a disaster series for the Panthers so far.
Their only other CUSA series loss up to this point was to Louisiana Tech, and the series finale was canceled due to bad weather. Combine the loss to FGCU on Tuesday, and FIU extends its losing streak to three games. If you look further back, the Panthers have lost six of their last eight, including five against CUSA opponents.
This all drops their record to 22-16, with a 6-7 record in the conference. Standings-wise, they’re tied for fifth place alongside Jacksonville State and New Mexico State. The Panthers will look to at least end the KSU series on a high note tomorrow at 1pm.
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