Panthers Beat Holy Cross After Strong Sixth Inning Rally

MIAMI, FL – FIU Baseball was down 3-0 early in the game to Holy Cross, but Jeremy Urena was able to pivot and punch out seven hitters. Samuel Fischer got FIU’s offense started with a career day at the plate.

The FIU bullpen, backed by Tyrus Riley and Bryce Turner, was effective late in the game. A strong sixth inning rally from the Panthers proved to be the deciding factor in their 7-4 victory over the Holy Cross Crusaders.

Urena Strikes Out Seven

Jeremy Urena had an uneasy start to his outing. The first two batters he faced each singled and then did a double steal. With runners on second and third, Gianni Royer hit a groundout RBI to put the Crusaders on the board. Then came John LaFleur, and he smashed a two-run blast into right field to give Holy Cross an early 3-0 advantage. Afterwards, Urena was able to dial in and retire the next three hitters he faced.

In the second, Urena was tested once again. After securing an out, he hit a batter, walked the next hitter, and then allowed another double steal. Even with runners threatening on the basepaths once again, he was able to come up big with consecutive strikeouts to end the inning.

Urena was unstoppable for the rest of his night. He issued a 1-2-3 inning in the third and followed up in the fourth, striking out all three batters he faced.

Jeremy FREEZES him 🧊 @Jermurena pic.twitter.com/Bb4krA2RPu

— FIU Baseball (@FIUBaseball) February 20, 2026

After recording another strikeout, Urena was pulled from the game. Despite giving up six hits and four runs, with three of them being earned, he was efficient in striking out seven hitters in his 4.2 innings on the mound.

Fischer Goes Deep for First Home Run

At the plate, FIU’s hitters had nothing to show for against Holy Cross starter Jaden Wywoda, going hitless in the first three innings. It wasn’t until the fourth that Cole Cleveland was able to deliver FIU’s first hit. He then scored after Fischer went yard for his first career home run.

SAMMY GOES YARD 💣

B4 | Holy Cross 3, FIU 2 pic.twitter.com/RK16KmlB8J

— FIU Baseball (@FIUBaseball) February 21, 2026

Panthers Score Five Runs in Sixth

With just three hits coming into the bottom half of the inning, the Panthers knew they had to get going with a scoring rally.

Cleveland became the first base runner after reaching first on an error. He then advanced to third after Aidan Cohall knocked a hit. Cleveland scored after a Fischer base hit turned into his third RBI of the game. Hector Candelas followed up with another hit to score Cohall, which tied the game at four apiece.

Vicente Felicano then effectively used his batter’s eye to draw a walk and load up the bases for Cooper Rasmussen, who got hit by a pitch to put the Panthers on top. Andrew Ildefonso stepped up to the plate afterwards to provide FIU with two additional go-ahead runs on a single up the middle, making it 7-4.

UP THE MIDDLE ILDY 😱 pic.twitter.com/xbiL4NSfo8

— FIU Baseball (@FIUBaseball) February 21, 2026

Bullpen Shuts the Door

In 2.1 innings, Tryus Riley allowed no hits or runs, just three walks while striking out four. He maintains a perfect 0.00 ERA after two relief appearances this season.

Bryce Turner had a scoreless eighth and ninth to get the save, striking out two batters. He also has a 0.00 ERA after two appearances.

we got a BT punchie 🔥

M8 | Holy Cross 4, FIU 7 pic.twitter.com/XBo3H855B5

— FIU Baseball (@FIUBaseball) February 21, 2026

About Post Author

Ricardo Urrusuno

He’s a diehard 305 native who roots for his hometown teams in the good, the bad, and the ugly. Recently, he graduated from FIU with an MBA, but now he’s a Lemonhead covering UM basketball. Known to be anywhere and everywhere, you may catch him at a Miami sporting event.

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