FIU Kicks the Week Off With Big Win Over No.17 Ranked Western Kentucky

Miami, FL – FIU Baseball was riding high following a walk-off win against the University of Miami, and that momentum went into the weekend series against the ranked Western Kentucky Hilltoppers by a final score of 3-1. This marks the first win against a ranked opponent since April 23, 2023, against the UTSA Roadrunners.

“We set our standard after that FGCU game,” said catcher Brendan Roney. “We were playing pretty badly. Honestly. We turned it around, sat down, looked back on it, and we’re just picking it back up now.”

A Stud at Starting Pitcher

Starter, Easton Marks led Friday’s efforts, going 6 ⅔ innings, striking out seven, and walking four. He allowed a run in the top of the seventh inning. Marks’ 114 total pitches thrown matches a career-high. “Stud,” said Roney regarding the Panthers’ ace. “I’ve been blessed enough to catch him all season. We’ve been paired up, and he just gets better and better each week.”

 

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Reliever Jaydon Bishop notched his first career save in a 2 ⅓ hitless innings, striking out three and walking one.

Entering Friday’s ballgame, Western Kentucky starter Jack Bennett had a 1.87 ERA despite a two-inning outing against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, where he surrendered three runs (two earned). FIU tacked three runs (two earned) on the Hilltoppers’ starter.

Getting it done at the plate

In the bottom of the second inning, catcher Brendan Roney drove in the designated hitter, Andrew Ildefonso, on a sacrifice fly, giving FIU a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the fourth inning, second baseman Alex Ulloa hit his fifth home run of the season, extending the lead, 2-0. The Panthers’ insurance run came in the bottom of the fifth with a two-out RBI single from third baseman Javier Crespo.

Roney, who has a hit in eight of his last nine games, had his second consecutive two-hit game and his fourth multi-hit game of the year.“Just relaxing,” Roney said. “I’m just enjoying it right now. It’s my last season in college. I have to enjoy it, so I’m just trying to keep all the pressure off me and swing the bat and stay aggressive.”

With the FIU win over a ranked Western Kentucky, they have a 24-18 overall record and 7-8 in conference play. Saturday’s game will be at 5:00 pm. There has not been a starting pitcher announced yet.

About Post Author

Kevin Barral

Hello, my name is Kevin Barral. I am currently covering FIU Football for Lemon City, but have been covering Miami Marlins baseball since the 2021 season with Fish Stripes and that has been my main forte so far in my young sports media career. I am excited to cover FIU Football this season and moving forward. I love to travel, play sports, and go out with my friends to Flanigans when not covering or writing.

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