Friday, May 16, 2003

FIU outlasts Arkansas State with 4-3 12-inning victory
Box Score

Yahmed Yema walked with the bases loaded forcing in the winning run as FIU outlasted Sun Belt Conference opponent Arkansas State for a 4-3, 12-inning victory Friday night at University Park.

Winning pitcher Derek DeCarlo (6-0) pitched the final 4.1 innings in relief, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out seven. The sophomore right-hander extended his school record consecutive game win streak to 17.

With the win, FIU evened its league mark to 11-11 and 33-20 on the season. It was the ninth-straight SBC loss for the Indians who fell to 8-13 in conference play, 23-28 for the year.

David San Juan started the 12th inning for FIU hitting a high pop to short right field. Outfielder Adam Roberson called for the ball then dropped it for a two-base error. After Luis Rivera bunted San Juan to third base, ASU pitcher Ryan Hamilton intentionally walked the next to batters, loading the bases for Yema.

Hamilton (3-4) tossed the final 4.1 innings for ASU, giving up one hit, an eighth-inning double to Skip Adams, and striking out six.

ASU grabbed the early lead with two runs in the first inning off Golden Panthers starting pitcher Arthur Santos. FIU tied the game at 2 on single runs in the first and second innings.

Arkansas State regained a 3-2 advantage in the sixth inning but FIU came back in its half of the sixth to tie the score at 3-3 on an RBI single by Solomon Frieder.

Santos tosses the first 7.2 innings for FIU, surrendering nine hits. Ricardo Nanita and Adams each had two of the Golden Panthers 10 hits on the night.

Florida International and Arkansas State meet for the second game of the series, Saturday at 1:00 p.m.