Golden Panthers swept in Sunday doubleheader

Sunday, April 27, 2003

Golden Panthers swept in Sunday doubleheader
Game 1: NMSU edges FIU 8-6
Box Score

Dropping behind 6-0 in the second inning, the Golden Panthers couldn’t complete their comeback attempt, losing 8-6 to New Mexico State Sunday morning at University Park. The Aggies led throughout in the opening game of the Sun Belt Conference doubleheader.

The loss spoiled a solid outing by junior right-hander Andrew Edwards, who pitched a career-high seven and two-thirds innings, striking out six with two earned runs, one walk and four hits.

New Mexico State centerfielder Alex Borgo led off the game by hitting a home run on the first pitch of the game.

Things didn’t improve for FIU, as the Aggies went on to score five more runs in the next two innings. Beau Blacken hit an RBI single in the first and then the floodgates opened in the second. Three separate players recorded RBI as Brad Ditter singled, Billy Becher walked with the bases loaded and Blacken hit an RBI groundout. In the middle of it all, Gavin Monjares scored on a wild pitch.

FIU got on the board in the bottom of the stanza when senior catcher Michael New hit a two-run home run to left field, cutting the score to 6-2.

The Aggies got another home run in the third, courtesy of Mark Keller, before Edwards settled down and pitched four straight scoreless innings.

In the fourth inning, FIU earned another run off of freshman infielder Luis Rivera’s RBI single through the left side. The scoring play was set up by a fielder’s choice for freshman outfielder Yahmed Yema and freshman outfielder Brian Aragon’s single through the left side.

The Golden Panthers scored again in the fifth, cutting the lead to 7-4. Freshman infielder Bryan Pullin singled down the right field line to start the inning, and junior outfielder Ricardo Nanita followed with a single to left center, advancing Pullin to third. Sophomore infielder Dennis Diaz then hit a sacrifice bunt to score Pullin.

FIU got to within a run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Rivera doubled to start the rally. After freshman infielder Mike Lopez walked, both players executed a double steal. Pullin then singled to left field to get both runners home and make the score 7-6.

NMSU added an insurance run in the eighth, another Keller home run, and the Golden Panthers could get no closer, as they fell to 7-7 in the conference and 29-16 overall.

Game 2: Golden Panthers swept 3-0 with 2-1 loss
Box Score

In the second game of a Sun Belt Conference doubleheader, the Florida International baseball team lost once again to New Mexico State, 2-1 in seven innings, Sunday afternoon at University Park. The game was scheduled for just seven innings as an early game had to be played due to a rainout on Saturday. The win gave the Aggies (35-11, 12-6 SBC) a sweep of the doubleheader and handed FIU (29-17, 7-8 SBC) its first conference sweep since 2002 (Western Kentucky).

The shortened game saw just three pitchers, as neither team could generate much offense. Dustin Cameron got the win, pitching the complete game and allowing just one walk, four hits and one earned run. Arthur Santos (Miami/Barbara Goleman) was handed yet another loss (1-7 this season), despite allowing just one earned run and striking out five.

New Mexico State grabbed the early lead for the second straight game, and by scoring two runs in the third inning, the Aggies had all the room they would need. Chris Ewen started things off with a walk, and then Brandon Saunders doubled to left center field to score Ewen. Saunders then advanced to third on a flyout, before reaching home on an error at first.

FIU could not score a run until the very end, as junior outfielder Ricardo Nanita led off the seventh inning with his team-leading ninth home run of the season, a shot to right field which cut the Aggie lead to one. FIU could get no closer though, as Cameron retired the final three batters to get the win.

The Golden Panthers next host South Alabama in conference-play this weekend, starting Friday at 7:00 p.m. at University Park. The game will be broadcast on Radiate 88, FIU’s student radio station. The student broadcast can be heard on 88.1 FM in Miami or on the Internet at http://wrgp.fiu.edu/sports.