Panthers Earn Second-Straight Walk Off Winner Of 2025

MIAMI, FL – Following a thrilling 7-6 extra-innings win over the Stonehill Skyhawks on Friday, the FIU Panthers once again had to walk it off thanks to some bottom-of-the-ninth theatrics.

Junior right-handed starter Owen Puk, who struggled in 2024, posted a 9.69 ERA, 9.7 K/9, and 8.0 BB/9 through 26.0 innings pitched. Throughout the offseason, much of the talk was about tightening up his arsenal and finally not having to worry about his rehab process from Tommy John surgery.

The Cedar Rapids native gave the Panthers a career-high five shutout innings, striking out five, and walking one while allowing one hit. Puk’s fastball was averaging between 94-96 mph, topping out at 98.

“It was his best start here at FIU,” said FIU head coach Rich Witten following the game. “I told him that after he came out of the game. I’m proud of Owen and we get to see a lot throughout the off-season that maybe the casual fan doesn’t get to see. Coach (Karsten) Whitson has done an unbelievable job working with Owen. Owen has done an unbelievable job buying into the things we want to work on and where his improvements needed to be.”

Coming in for Puk was junior lefty Juan Villarreal who was making his FIU debut. The JUCO product surrendered a three-run home run in the top of the sixth inning. In the top of the ninth, with FIU leading, 4-3, Villarreal surrendered an RBI single which drove in two runs, giving Stonehill a late 5-4 lead.

The Panthers’ offense finished the game leaving 14 players on base. “Number one, we need to understand that situational hitting is a really important part of our offense, especially early in the season,” Witten said. “There’s also a baseball side of it where if we get 14 runners on base every game moving forward, it’s only a matter of time before some of those hits start falling and some of those balls caught at the track are going over the fence.”

Alex Ulloa got FIU on the board in the bottom of the first with an RBI double, driving in two runs to take an early 2-0 lead. Catcher Rene Lastres, who made his first start with the Panthers hit a sac fly with the bases loaded to drive in the third run.

After the game was knotted at three apiece, Panthers center fielder Albert Serrano was able to hit a sac fly to drive in Kishon Frett to take a 4-3 lead.

Trailing 5-4 going into the bottom of the ninth inning, FIU was in trouble. Freshman Sebastian Berrios entered the game to pinch-hit for Lastres. Berrios entered a similar high-leverage situation during the Panthers Opening Day game but flew out on the first pitch. This time around, Berrios worked a full-count walk.

“Sebastian has been a guy that I think all of our all of our team has unique characteristics,” said Witten. “Some guys have more power, some guys have more bat to ball and some guys are going to put together a quality at-bat a little more than others. Sebastian’s a guy who has had good bat-to-ball all year long. He’s a tough out, even when he gets out.”

Once Berrios was on, third baseman Sammy Fischer was hit by a pitch, but the umpires determined that it hit the knob of the bat first. After plenty of discussion, it was ruled that Fischer was hit by a pitch and took the base.

A bunt by second baseman and nine-hole hitter Kareh Valentin moved both runners, the Skyhawks intentionally walked lead-off hitter Brylan West. Adonys Velez, who entered the game to pinch run for Berrios scored on a wild pitch. Kishon Frett, who was at the plate was intentionally walked as well. Another wild pitch allowed Fischer to score the winning run.

With the 6-5 win, the Panthers move to 2-0 for a second straight season and will now look for their first series win of the season on Sunday with Nevada transfer Easton Marks set to make his FIU debut. The first pitch will be at 2:00 pm.