Considering how this series opened, FIU needed a bounce-back win, and they got just that in dramatic fashion with a 6-5 victory over Middle Tennessee on Saturday.
Middle Tennessee got on the board early with four runs in the first inning with a two-run double, wild pitch, and an additional RBI. In the third, the Panthers got an answer with a groundout by Andrew Ildefonso, which brought home Alex Ulloa.
Trailing by a score of 4-1, the difference maker for FIU was a five-run fourth inning. Ulloa delivered a two-run single to bring home Albert Serrano and Berndan Roney. Kishon Frett added icing with a go-ahead home run.
Finally, Javier Crespo scored what would become the game-winning run – an RBI double to right-center field.
The fifth inning was nerve-wracking, as the Blue Raiders cut the deficit with a run off with an RBI flyout.
Despite the shaky start to this game, the Panthers’ bullpen delivered, denying Middle Tennessee any more runs after the fifth inning. Tracen Cameron’s first start of the season didn’t go as planned, allowing five hits and four earned runs in three innings of work.
However, David Eckaus stepped in and only allowed that single run in the fifth. Lastly, Juan Villarreal closed the shop for MTSU, pitching four scoreless innings. That’s now over seven innings without allowing an earned run for Villarreal.
That’s a well-earned win for FIU. If they had any rust remaining for road games, that has to have been shaken off by now. The Panthers will prepare for the series finale against Middle Tennessee tomorrow at 2pm.
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