Saturday, April 19, 2003

FIU shut out by ULL, 4-0
Box Score

Unable to capitalize on several scoring opportunities, the Florida International baseball team was shut out in Sun Belt Conference play for the first time in four years Saturday afternoon, losing 4-0 to Lousiana-Lafayette in Lafayette, La.

ULL junior right-hander Jordy Templet pitched a complete game shutout in the win, striking out nine Golden Panther batters. Templet also ended freshman infielder Luis Rivera’s hitting streak at 23 consecutive games. Rivera’s completed streak puts him at fifth place all-time in FIU history.

The Ragin’ Cajuns (16-25, 7-7 SBC) grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Jason Wilson and Dallas Morris started things off with back-to-back singles and Corey Coles brought them both home with a double. ULL got a break on the play, as the ball careened off a diving infielder’s glove, giving the pursuing outfielder no chance at making a play.

Coles scored the Cajuns another run in the fifth inning, giving them a 3-0 lead. He first got hit by pitch, advanced to second on a balk and reached third on a sacrifice bunt before being driven in by Phillip Hawke on a sacrifice fly.

ULL came up with its final run in the sixth inning. Wilson singled, stole second, and then reached home on a single to right center from Morris.

FIU freshman infielder Mike Lopez went 3-for-4 with a double, while sophomore teammate Dennis Diaz went 2-for-3 and stole two bases in the loss.

The Golden Panthers (29-13, 7-4 SBC) take on Lousiana-Lafayette in the final game of the series tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m. Eastern.