By Brett Shweky/Editor
Stony Brook’s Michael Wilson broke the hearts of FIU fans Saturday, Feb. 16 at the FIU Baseball Stadium.
As the Panthers (0-2) held a 6-4 advantage in the ninth inning, Wilson hit a three-run homer off FIU closer Will Saxton on a 2-2 count with one out remaining to give the Seawolves a game-clinching 7-6 lead.
Wilson paced Stony Brook (2-0) throughout the night by going three-for-five at the plate with three RBI and the winning home run.
Seawolves closer Connor Clark earned the save and finished off the Panthers’ hopes in the bottom of the ninth as he retired all three batters, which included a double play, to secure the come from behind victory.
Behind three scoreless innings, right-hander Brandon Bonanno picked up the win for the Seawolves. The junior limited FIU to only four hits and struck out three during his time at the mound.
Right fielder Juan Teixeira got the Panthers on the board in the second inning by doubling down the left field line and scoring first baseman Seth Cannady.
Teixeira continued his success by tacking on another run in the fourth as singled down the left field line which scored left fielder Lorenzo Hampton Jr to tie the game 2-2.
FIU took their first lead of the night later in the fourth when centerfielder Jarrett Ford sent Teixeira and Cannady home off with him doubling down the left field line.
After letting up a run in the fifth inning, the Panthers increased their to 6-3 by Cannady hitting a triple which allowed designated hitter Adan Fernandez and catcher Jose Garcia to score.
Cannady fueled the FIU bats during the contest as he batted four-for-five with two RBI and two runs.
The Seawolves would cut into FIU’s lead by one in the sixth and then steal the game from them in ninth off Wilson’s three-run shot.
Right-hander Nick MacDonald received the starting nod for the Panthers and lasted 4.2 innings before being pulled for Christian Dearman. MacDonald allowed seven, three runs and struck out six batters while in action.
The Panthers will close out their three-game series against Stony Brook on Sunday, Feb. 17 at FIU Baseball Stadium with the team still in search of their first win in 2019. The final contest is slated for Noon.
