Sunday, March 10, 2002

FIU sweepes Wagner with a 22-0 win Sunday afternoon

Florida International (15-4) defeated Wagner (0-9) 22-0 to complete the three-game sweep against the Seahwaks. The Golden Panthers scored 10 runs in the first and never looked back as FIU starter Derek DeCarlo improved to 4-0 on the season pitching six innings allowing only one hit while striking out eight. It was the third shut out in five games for FIU.

It was the second three-game sweep of the year for the Golden Panthers as they scored 59 runs over the weekend against Wagner. The win also moved head coach Danny Price within five games of 900 career wins. The offensive star for the
second straight day was Alex Suarez who went 2-4 with five RBI. Skip Adams went 3-5 with a season high five RBI and Dennis Diaz had a career high four hits in a
4-6 performance.

The Golden Panthers erupted with ten runs in the first inning sending 14 batters to the plate. Bernie Gonzalez hit two doubles in the inning with three RBI to extend his hitting streak to seven games. Tommy Duenas hit his seventh double of the year scoring Brad Eldred and Daniel Bustamante.

In the second Suarez hit his third home run in two days with a two-run shot left field also scoring Michael New to give FIU the 12-0 lead.

Solomon Frieder led off the third with a double and scored on Hector Penate's RBI single. Suarez collected his third RBI of the game hitting a sacrifice fly to center scoring Penate for the 14-0 lead after three innings.

Skip Adams' RBI single scoring Diaz gave the Golden Panthers the 15-0 lead after six innings.

In the seventh Suarez hit a two-run double, giving him eight in the last two days, to give FIU the 17-0 lead. Skip Adams hit a bases' clearing double to left center scoring Orlando Garci, Diaz, and Summerell.

Bustamante hit a RBI double in the eighth scoring Penate as Bustamante scored as the Wagner shortstop overthrew third base.

The Golden Panthers will host Iona Monday at 7pm University Park