Saturday March 22, 2003

FIU holds off second Arkansas-Little Rock rally
Box Score

The Florida International baseball team defeated Arkansas-Little Rock 10-7 in the second of a three-game series Saturday afternoon in Little Rock. For the second consecutive game, UALR rallied in the ninth inning, and for the second consecutive game, FIU held on to win.

Sophomore Derek DeCarlo (Southridge, Miami) extended his school record streak of consecutive victories to 15 games. The right-hander improved to 4-0 this season with his seven-hit, eight-strikeout performance and is still undefeated in his collegiate career.

The Trojans got off to a quick start, thanks to a Clay Pittullo home run in the bottom of the first inning.

With the bases loaded for FIU in the third inning, senior outfielder Adam Summerell hit an RBI single through the left side to knot the score at 1-1.

The Trojans answered quickly. After three consecutive walks, Rick Guarno doubled to score two. Then Joe Mercer hit a sac fly to give UALR a 4-1 lead.

FIU came back with two runs in top of the fourth inning. Junior designated hitter Fernando Alvarez walked, freshman infielder Luis Rivera singled and senior catcher Michael New doubled to score both.

Down 4-3 in the fifth, sophomore infielder Dennis Diaz hit a bunt single down the right field line to start a rally. Freshman infielder Bryan Pullin notched a base hit through the right side to get Diaz to third. Summerell then bunted down the right field line to score Diaz. Senior infielder Skip Adams followed that up with a double, which scored Pullin from third, and Rivera then brought home Summerell with an RBI single. Adams reached home on a wild pitch to give FIU a 7-4 lead.

UALR closed to within 7-5 in the sixth off a Pittullo RBI single to left center field.

The Golden Panthers answered again in the seventh inning. Adams singled to start the inning, and then Alvarez hit his second home run in as many days to give FIU a 9-5 lead.

They then added another insurance run in the ninth inning. With two men on, Rivera hit an RBI single to left center field.

The Trojans rallied again. With the bases loaded, a run scored on an error, and then Matt Spatafora earned an RBI and reached on a fielder’s choice to pull the Trojans to within 10-7. But Golden Panther relief pitcher Derek Taylor got the final out to preserve the win.

The Golden Panthers take on Arkansas-Little Rock in the final game of the series tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. Central Standard Time.