Saturday, February 17, 2002

FIU routs St. Francis 21-2

lorida International (6-1) scored a season high 21 runs defeating St. Francis (0-2) 21-1 at University Park. Michael Baluja improved to 2-0 on the season as five Golden Panthers had more than three hits in the game. Michael New went 5-6 with five RBI, a grand slam and a double. Alex Ansoleaga went 3-3.

In the first the Golden Panthers scored with three runs. Adam Summerell led off with a hit-by-pitch and scored when Daniel Bustamante reached on an error by the shortstop. Ansoleaga scored on Bernie Gonzalez' sacrifice fly to right field and Hector Nunez followed with a RBI single scoring Bustamante.

FIU added their fourth run in the second with Dean Adams doubling to left field and scoring on a wild pitch.

The Golden Panthers continued their run outburst as they scored three more runs in the third. Brad Eldred and Nunez each solo home runs, their third and second respectively. Orlando Garcia made his first start of the year and hit a RBI single scoring New to give FIU the 7-0 lead.

In the fourth the Golden Panthers scored three more runs. Bustamante hit a RBI single scoring Ansoleaga. New hit a double to left field scoring Bustamante and Gonzalez as New advanced to third when the left fielder was charged with a throwing error to increase the lead to 10-0.

In the fifth Summerell and Ansoleaga singled as Summerell scored on a wild pitch and Ansoleaga scored on a Bustamante sacrifice fly.

The Terriers scored their only run of the game in the seventh when Steve Iannuccilli doubled and scored on a Greg Clements RBI single.

In the eighth FIU scored nine more times to close the door on the game as 15 batters came to bat. Nunez, New, and Adams hit consecutive singles and Nunez scored when Garcia was walked. Adams scored when Diaz walked. Garcia scored on a groundout to second. New added his first career grandslam as a Golden Panther to open the game 21-1.

The 21 runs scored were the most since last year when FIU scored 22 against Iona. The two teams will conclude the series tomorrow afternoon at 1pm with freshman Derek DeCarlo making his first career start.