By Brett Shweky/Editor
Behind a nine-run first inning, the FIU Panthers picked up their second victory of the 2019 season as they defeated Bethune-Cookman 9-2 on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at the FIU Baseball Stadium.
The Panthers (2-2) came out of the gates swinging as they sent 14 batters to the plate in the top half of the first inning and earned nine runs.
FIU designated hitter Jose Garcia doubled to score second baseman Derek Cartaya and centerfielder Jarrett Ford for the opening runs of the night, while left fielder Lorenzo Hampton Jr. added to the Panthers’ lead by scoring Garcia on an RBI single.
Right fielder Adan Fernandez, who led the FIU bats by going two-for-four with two RBI, hit his first home run of the season later in the frame which sent him and Hampton to home plate.
The Panthers pushed their advantage to 7-0 on a Ford RBI single and Cartaya sacrifice fly that scored shortstop John Rodriguez.
Third baseman Austin Shenton closed out the first inning onslaught by singling to centerfield allowing Ford and catcher Luis Chavez to score.
Bethune-Cookman (1-3) scratched at the Panthers’ lead but only managed to score one run each in the fourth and fifth inning.
The Wildcats’ starting pitcher Joseph Strong picked up the loss after he gave up eights runs and five hits in the first inning.
Panthers’ starter Franco Aleman pitched the beginning four frames of the contest and concluded his night limiting the Wildcats to four hits and one run while striking out five batters.
Everett Hurst, who took over for Aleman in the top of the fifth, earned the victory as he struck out three batters in two innings and restricted the Wildcats to two hits and one run.
FIU will hit the road on Friday, Feb. 22 for the first time of the 2019 season with a two-game weekend series against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in Port Charlotte, Fla.
First pitch for the first game is set for 2 p.m., while Saturday’s final game will be at Noon.
