Panthers Rally, Take Lead, Still Fell Short Against Dallas Baptist

In what would have been one of the most impressive comebacks of the season, FIU Baseball couldn’t hold on to a late lead as they fell short to the 20th-ranked Dallas Baptist Patriots by a score of 10-9.

Things were looking gloomy in Dallas heading into the seventh inning. With a 7-2 lead, DBU looked to cruise by the Panthers. However, the top of the seventh was one of FIU’s best single-inning offensive performances this season. They scored seven total runs, taking an unexpected 9-2 lead.

We Can’t Have Nice Things

However, the 31-13 Patriots immediately loaded the bases in the bottom half and brought home two runners to tie the game. They got their go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth on a sacrifice flyout, which was just enough for the win.

In the second inning, the Panthers got their first run thanks to Kareh Valentin. He brought home Alex Ulloa on an RBI groundout, tying the game up at the time. Down 3-1, the Panthers got another run in the third inning with an RBI single from Andrew Ildefonso.

The seventh inning featured five plays in which FIU scored. The first was an RBI single from Brylan West. The next involved Ulloa being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing in West. Brendan Roney forced a walk with the bases still loaded, bringing in another run. Once again, another Panther was hit by a pitch – this time being Hector Candelas – for the fourth run of the inning.

CLEVELAND ROCKS IN DALLAS 🤘

A three-run triple and we lead for the first time tonight! pic.twitter.com/wTqElNKY3a

— FIU Baseball (@FIUBaseball) May 3, 2025

FIU had the bases loaded for a while until Cole Cleveland cleared them with an RBI triple, bringing home three runners and giving the Panthers the lead. Too bad it was all for not as they fell short to Dallas Baptist, but it was an impressive outing batting-wise against one of the best teams in D1 baseball.

Easton Marks had a decent but forgettable start for FIU, allowing two earned runs over 3.1 innings with one strikeout. When the Panthers took the lead, they looked to Lugan Runde, who unfortunately gave up two runs in the process. Juan Villareal gave up the game-losing run in the eighth.

The loss drops FIU’s record to 26-20 and 9-9 in conference play. They’ll look to avoid losing the series against DBU tomorrow at 4:05pm.