Friday, March 8, 2002

Golden Panthers defeat Wagner 15-1 to open three-game series

Freshman Carlos Alvarez collected his first collegiate win as FIU (13-4) defeated Wagner 0-7), 15-1, to open a three-game series versus the Seahawks. Leading the Golden Panthers was senior Bernie Gonzalez who collected a career high six RBI in the contest. Alvarez pitched seven innings allowing one run on six hits while striking out three.

Brad Eldred collected his 14th RBI of the season when he hit a sacrifice fly to right field scoring Alex Ansoleaga to give the Golden Panthers the early 1-0 lead after the first inning.

In the third the Golden Panthers added three runs to increase the lead to 4-0. Ansoleaga walked and scored on Gonzalez' RBI single. Dean Adams singled and came home on Eldred's sacrifice fly of the game. Gonzalez scored the third run of the inning on a wild pitch. Tommy Duenas extended his hitting streak to 10 with a single in the inning.

Gonzalez continued his hot hitting with a bases clearing double down the left field line scoring Adam Summerell, Ansoleaga, and Adams for the 7-0 lead. Eldred added a RBI single scoring Gonzalez and Duenas knocked in Eldred with a single up the middle to give FIU the 9-0 lead after four innings.

In the sixth the Seahawks scored their run of the game on Nick Pompo's RBI single to right field. It was the first run scored against FIU in 23 innings. The Golden Panthers entered the game with consecutive shut outs against Fairfield and Lehigh.

FIU added four more runs in the seventh. Skip Adams hit an infield single bringing in Orlando Garcia and Summerell. Gonzalez scored Garcia and Skip Adams on a two-run double. It was the sixth RBI of the game for Gonzalez.

In the ninth Michael New hit a RBI double to left field scoring Solomon Frieder for the 14-1 lead for the Golden Panthers.

The Golden Panthers will continue the three-game series versus Wagner with a 1pm game tomorrow afternoon.