Panther Bats Grapple Owl’s Pen For 17 Runs Travis Ozaga is welcomed home in the 7th inning Florida International jumped out to a quick lead today and didn’t look back as the defeated Florida Atlantic by a final score of 17-10 at FAU Stadium. The game started slower than the first two. but that didn’t last long. FIU jumped out to a lead 4-1 in the top of the third, and Hugh Adams came on to relieve Adheen and get FAU out of the inning. Hugh Adams got into a jam in the top of the fourth falling behind and loading the bases on three consecutive walks. Alex Pepe was called in to action from the pen and struck out the first batter he faced. But he then walked the next three he faced, as FAU surrendered its 6-4 inning starting lead at 7-6. That would bring in Barry Rooks, on little rest. But it wouldn’t get any better as FIU put up another six runs before he could get out of the inning. FIU hit a three run blast and sent thirteen to the plate in the 9 run tirade. FAU then brought Adam Morrison in on less than two days rest having pitched five innings on Thursday. FIU picked up another run to expand their lead to 14-7. The Owls picked up a run in the bottom of the fifth inning and had a chance for a couple more, but a timely double play by the Panthers squelched that opportunity. They would load the bases with two out in the sixth inning as FIU finally dipped into it’s pen, but an untimely pop out ended the threat to cut further into the lead. Mike Gipson, who came on for the Owls in the seventh and gave up a home run against the second Panther he faced. David Wilson led off the bottom of the inning with a single. And Jeremy Griffiths laid down the pine with a two run blast that cleared the right field wall. However, Gipson surrendered another home run in the top of the eighth to Lamar Guy, extending their lead to 17-10, and Coach McCormack went to the pen for the seventh pitcher on the afternoon in Chris Schmitt. Schmitt worked through the ninth keeping the score in check. The Owls were then down to their last three outs in the ninth. There would be no late inning heroics. The Owls went down in order. FAU will now await the winner of the New Orleans at Louisiana-Lafayette game to determine their fate. Earlier in the day, Arkansas Little Rock defeated Arkansas State, knocking them out of contention. Senior Day Photos Game Highlights and Photos
