By Brett Shweky/Editor
In their series opener against Seton Hall on Friday at the FIU Baseball Stadium, the Panthers edged out their non-conference opponent 1-0 behind Logan Allen’s scoreless pitching performance and an Adan Fernandez solo shot in the sixth.
Allen (2-1) paced the Panthers (7-6) through seven innings after only allowing one hit and striking out 11 opposing batters. The sophomore left-hander has recorded double-digit strikeouts in three of his four starts this season.
Fernandez went yard for the third time this year with his round-tripper in the bottom of the sixth having been the difference maker in the contest.
During the bottom of the first, FIU’s Juan Teixeira had a potential home run taken off the board after the game officials reversed the call.
Later in the top of the fourth, the Pirates (1-7) had a home run of their own taken off the board as the officials determined the ball entered foul territory.
Jose Garcia, Derek Cartaya and Lorenzo Hampton Jr. each collected a hit in the matchup to round out the Panthers’ game total to four.
Jan Figueroa came in for relief during the eighth inning for FIU as he sealed the deal by throwing an additional two scoreless innings. Figueroa earned his first career save.
Seton Hall’s Blake Espinal (2-1) reeled in the loss after giving up Fernandez’s home run.
The Pirates were held to only two hits on the night.
FIU and Seton will play the middle game of the series at the FIU Baseball Stadium on Saturday. Start time is set for 6 p.m.
