Wednesday, March 27, 2002

Golden Panthers win fourth consecutive with 6-5 win

o. 20 FIU (25-5) won their fourth consecutive win with a 6-5 win over Lafayette (7-8). The Golden Panthers broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth inning scoring three runs to open the game as they never looked back in the win. FIU starter Carlos Alvarez pitched five effective innings allowing no runs while only surrending four hits, however was credited with the no-decision. Relief pitcher Matt Crandall was awarded the win improving to 2-1 on the year while freshman catcher Adrian Casanova (Coral Park) made his first collegiate start going 2-3.

In the first the Golden Panthers scored the first run as Leopard second baseman Jason Boyd dropped a pop fly hit by Brad Eldred bringing in Alex Ansoleaga to give FIU the early 1-0 lead.

Ansoleaga hit a line drive single in the second to right field with the bases loaded, scoring Skip Adams. Dennis Diaz scored the third run when Lafayette pitcher Joe Saporetti threw a wild pitch.

The Leopards scored three runs in the sixth to tie the score at 3-3. Jason Boyd hit a RBI single scoring Tye Gonser and Adam Rosenberg came in when Vince D'Angelis grounded out to third. Boyd scored the third run when FIU catcher Casasnova overthrew third base on an attempted steal.

In the sixth FIU took the lead scoring three runs. Adam Summerell scored the go-ahead run when pinch hitter Daniel Bustamante grounded out. Hector Nunez hit a sacrifice fly scoring Ansoleaga. Eldred added a solo home run for the third run. It was Eldred's 15th on the season and the 30th of his career. Eldred moved past Jeff Rodriguez for second all-time. He is one behind the leaders Luis Fernandez and Sean Mahoney with 31.

Lafayette closed the lead to 6-4 scoring one run in the seventh. Gonser singled and scored on a wild pitch.

The Leopards rallied with a run in the eighth as Crandall hit Rosenberg with the bases loaded to force in Ted Kramer to close the lead to 6-5.

FIU's Alex Suarez ended his 13-game winning streak as he flied out to right field in his only at-bat of the game in the eighth inning.

FIU will host their first conference opponent as they welcome Louisiana-Lafayette to town. The three-game series will begin on Friday at 7:00pm at University Park with an afternoon game on Saturday and the series conclusion on Sunday at 1:00pm.