Saturday, January 25, 2003

Florida International outlasts Florida A&M, 1-0, to sweep series
Box Score

unior righthander Josh Banks struck out eleven and allowed three hits in seven innings, as the Florida International baseball team defeated Florida A&M 1-0, Saturday afternoon at University Park Stadium.

Banks gave up no walks, and his eleven strikeouts tied a career high he set against Miami last February 6. His seven innings pitched established a personal best.

"It felt good to pitch so many innings," said Banks, whose first two seasons at FIU had been hampered by injuries. "I feel like I'm able to help the team more when I pitch more innings."

Banks earned a no-decision because of Rattler hurler A.J. Patrick's performance. Patrick struck out four and pitched a no-hitter through five innings.

"(Patrick) worked ahead all day and we just couldn't get anything going," Golden Panther head coach Danny Price said. "I give him all the credit in the world, this game was a true pitcher's duel."

The game was scoreless entering the bottom of the eight inning, when senior catcher Michael New doubled to right center to lead off the inning. Senior third baseman Skip Adams advanced New to third by grounding out to second. Junior outfielder Fernando Alvarez then drove in New with a single to right center. The RBI was the first Division I hit for the junior college transfer.

"We have to rely on our pitching and defense right now, especially with (Adam) Summerell being out," Price said. The senior outfielder is listed as day-to-day after pulling his hamstring in preseason drills. "Getting solid pitching is really big right now."

Florida International next hosts Eastern Michigan in a three-game series, which begins January 31 at 7:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on Radiate 88, FIU's student radio station. The game can be heard on 88.1 FM in Miami or on the Internet at http://wrgp.fiu.edu/sports. For ticket information, call 866-FIU-GAME.