FIU Baseball Sweeps Sharks In Saturday Doubleheader

MIAMI, FL – Even after Owen Puk’s first start, where he walked four, and gave up six runs, as five were earned, the Panthers rallied back in the top of the first inning.

With home runs from Jeff Liquori, Ryne Guida, and Alex Ulloa to make it a 6-5 deficient. FIU went on to score 20 unanswered to win it all in a seven-inning run rule.

“There’s no one we want out there more than him,” said FIU head coach Rich Witten following the game. “He wanted to pitch well for his team and his teammates. He’s a great guy. He’s a competitor. He’s gonna be right back out there in no time. We got a ton of faith in him.”

Game One

Following a six-run top of the first, Brylan West led the game off with a base hit and Jeff Liquori followed it up with a two-run shot, his first as an FIU Panther and a division one player to make it a 6-2 game.

One of the few returning players for the Panthers, Ryne Guida followed up Liquori with a solo shot of his own to cut down the deficit to three runs.

In the same top of the first, shortstop Alex Ulloa hit his first of two home runs on the night, which put the Panthers down just one run, getting to starter Dominic Pieto early.

The Panthers would go on to score 20 unanswered runs thanks to a big day from Brylan West who went 4-4. He was a triple shy of the cycle.

Despite Puk’s tough start, the bullpen was comprised of Orlando Hernandez, Zac Lampton, David Eckaus, and Tristan Dietrich.

The Panthers immediately put on their blue pinstripe uniforms as they suit up for game two of the doubleheader.

Game Two

A lot of the same occurred for the Panthers in game two as they once again run-ruled Long Island Sharks to a final score of 17-4, combining for 37 runs between both games one and two.

Helping the Panthers were home runs from Brylan West, Armando Becerra, and Jeff Liquori. FIU scored seven unanswered runs to finish it off on Saturday night.

For West, between both games, he had nine hits, going 4-4 in game one and 5-5 in game two. Between both games, West ended up with nine hits, eight RBIs, and two home runs.

“It was a relaxed day,” said West. “Stay relaxed and comfortable at the box. I don’t think too much. I am a big see-ball hit-ball guy. I was on the fastball expecting a breaking ball.”

With the win, the Panthers now move on to 3-0 on the season and look to sweep the opening series of the season on Sunday. Witten has yet to announce a starter but thankfully has plenty of arms he can go to with how he has been able to conserve his bullpen.

Although the Panthers are 3-0 in each game, FIU was down and managed to come back, but Witten admits that being down early in the first inning isn’t something that can happen.

“Swung well today,” said Witten. “I’ve enjoyed watching our team show the ability to come from behind. Unfortunately, those are things we want to get better at, because the first three games we’ve started at a deficit.”

The game will begin on Sunday at 11 am and will be streamed on ESPN+ from the FIU Baseball Stadium. (EDITOR’S NOTE – This game was ultimately canceled due to weather.)