FIU Walked Off By Western Kentucky, Head To Losers Bracket

As one pitch made the difference for FIU on Wednesday, that was once again the case today. This time, it favored the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers as they walked off the Panthers in the bottom of the ninth and won by a final score of 7-6. FIU heads to the losers’ bracket and will face Kennesaw State on Friday at 2pm.

In the top of the first inning, outfielder Austin Dearing took Conference USA Pitcher of the Year Drew Whalen deep for a two-run shot. This was his eighth home run of the season and put the Panthers ahead.

Nine hitter Brendan Roney got to Whalen in the top of the second for a three-run shot, extending the lead to 5-0. It was Roney’s fourth home run of the season.

ARE YOU SERIOUS! BRONEY 💥

T2 | FIU 5, Western Kentucky 0 pic.twitter.com/SpxxGFAJOh

— FIU Baseball (@FIUBaseball) May 22, 2025

After the Panthers took a commanding 5-0 lead, the Hilltoppers responded with six unanswered runs spread out throughout the game. In their tournament opening game, they fell behind 6-0 to the New Mexico State Aggies, but came out on top.

In the bottom of the second inning, the Hilltopper scored two runs in the second and third innings. All of a sudden, a potential blowout turned into a 5-4 nailbiter.

It All Goes Wrong In The End

The FIU bullpen was strong throughout most of the game. Redshirt freshman Tracen Cameron went 1 ⅔ innings, allowing just one hit and one walk, but kept the Tops quiet. It was Kevin Martin who was put to work, going four innings, but in the bottom of the seventh inning, he surrendered an RBI triple to pinch hitter Camden Ross to give WKU a 6-5 lead.

Late game heroics from FIU shortstop Alex Ulloa would tie the game at six apiece as he belted his seventh home run of the season.

ALEX ULLOA TIE GAME IN THE 9TH ‼️

📺 ESPN+ (https://t.co/MImQlCqwYO)@FIUBaseball | #NoLimitsOnUs pic.twitter.com/SgndHIXMGN

— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) May 22, 2025

In game one against Kennesaw State, FIU was able to use Jarek Woodward for one inning of work. The pitch count was low, allowing him to be used on Thursday. After two quick outs, Woodward surrendered a 1-0 fastball away to Hilltoppers third baseman Carlos Vasquez. He took him deep to walk it off.

With the loss, FIU is now on the brink of elimination with a loss to Kennesaw State on Friday.

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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