By Brett Shweky/Editor
FIU’s matchup against Jacksonville State on Friday at Jim Case Stadium in Alabama can be described as nothing short of a pitching duel as the Panthers edged the Gamecocks 2-1 to earn the first victory of the three-game weekend series.
The opening contest featured remarkable performances from FIU left-hander Logan Allen and Jacksonville State right-hander Garrett Farmer as both pitchers paced their teams for the early parts of the game.
Allen threw five scoreless innings for the Panthers while on allowing two hits and striking out 12 batters. Farmer limited FIU to three hits in the 6.2 innings he pitched in along with having compiled 12 K’s.
FIU catcher Jose Garcia put an end to the five innings of no scoring as he singled to left field to score first baseman Javier Valdes.
Jacksonville State responded in the eighth with a run of their with Nic Gaddis having delivered a one-run shot over the left field wall.
At the top of the ninth, third baseman Austin Shenton regained the lead for the Panthers by following up Gaddis’ round-tripper with a homer of his own as he sent the game-winning hit to left center.
Left-hander Will Saxton shut the door closed on the Gamecocks after he pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his first save of the season.
Despite Allen’s stellar outing, right-hander Jose Machado earned the win for FIU by striking out Jacksonville State’s Andrew Naismith in the 0.1 innings he threw in.
Right-hander Austin Brewster obtained the loss for the Gamecocks.
FIU and Jacksonville State are set to play in a doubleheader on Saturday due to inclement weather in the forecast for Sunday.
Game two of the series will remain scheduled for 2 p.m. while the final contest will come 30-45 after.
Right-hander Nick MacDonald is set to take the mound for FIU in the first game of the double-header as he faces off against Jacksonville State right-hander Trey Fortner.
Saxton will close it out for the Panthers while the Gamecocks have yet to announce their final starter.
