Friday, February 16, 2002

Golden Panthers rally to defeat St. Francis 9-6

osh Banks improved to 2-0 as Florida International (5-1) defeated St. Francis (0-1) 9-6. The Golden Panthers had a season high nine runs and 15 hits in the win. Bernie Gonzalez went 2-4 with three RBI to lead FIU to their fifth consecutive win.

In the first the Golden Panthers scored first when Gonzalez hit a two-run single up the middle scoring Adam Summerell and Hector Nunez.

In the fifth, the Terriers rallied with five runs keyed by Anthony Esposito's grandslam. Rob Cacchioli singled and scored on an error by Banks as Mike Molinini reached bases. With two outs, Jason Iorio singled and Anthony Giudice walked followed by Bank's error to load the bases for Esposito.

FIU rallied with their own three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Skip Adams hit an infield single and scored on Summerell's triple to dead center. Brad Eldred followed with a RBI double scoring Summerell. Gonzalez' third RBI of the game tied the score with a single scoring Eldred.

In the sixth, Solomon Freider hit his first career home run at FIU, with a solo shot to right field to give the Golden Panthers the 6-5 lead. Alex Ansoleaga followed with a RBI single to left field scoring Summerell who reached on a walk and then stole second.

Banks was replaced in the seventh by Arthur Santos. Banks went six innings allowing four hits and five unearned runs while striking out eight and walking one.

The Golden Panthers added to their lead on a Skip Adams single scoring Tommy Duenas for the 8-5 lead. St. Francis scored their last run in the eighth as Jesse Bole walked and scored from third on a passed ball to close the lead to 8-6.

FIU added their ninth and final run in the eighth when Alex Suarez was walked with the bases loaded and Alex Ansoleaga scored.

The same two teams will return to action tomorrow at 1pm. Pitching for the Golden Panthers will be Michael Baluja (1-0).