DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - FIU completed the season sweep of Bethune-Cookman with a 9-1 win, Tuesday afternoon at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
FIU (17-9) got on the board in the game's opening frame thanks to a B-CU fielding error that allowed a run to score on a two-out RBI single.
Bethune-Cookman (12-13) nearly responded in the bottom of the inning as
Darryl Lee walked and advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt with no one out. Lee was caught out attempting to score on a wild pitch that struck out
Andrey Martinez, ending the B-CU threat.
FIU put three on the board in the second, again with two outs as an RBI double and wild pitch made it a 4-0 Panther lead. They chipped in two more an inning later - yet again with two away - on a pair of RBI singles as the Panthers threatened to run away with it at 6-0.
As the B-CU offense continued to sputter, the Wildcats put a runner on in the fourth, only to be cut down via a double play a batter later.
FIU made it a 9-0 game in the sixth after a leadoff triple and fielders choice, followed by a bases loaded walk.
As the Wildcats moved further into the FIU bullpen, Lee came through again with a leadoff double, but could not come around to score in the sixth.
The Panthers nearly reached run-rule range in the seventh, putting the first two runners on with a walk and hit batter, but a double play allowed B-CU to escape unscathed.
The Wildcats finally got on the board in the eighth, loading the bases with a single, fielders' choice, and two walks.
Michael Rodriguez worked another walk to make it a 9-1 game.
The B-CU bullpen settled down, working three straight scoreless innings heading to the bottom of the ninth. A
Leandro Perez double and
Jose Fernandez double put runners at second and third with one out, but B-CU could not bring them home as FIU took the 9-1 win.
Logan Wirt made ths start and took his first loss of the season, allowing four runs - three earned - on four hits with a walk and a strikeout.
- Darryl Lee reached base a team-high three times with two walks and a hit.
- Jose Fernandez finished the day 2-2 at the plate after pinch hitting.
- B-CU stranded eight runners on the base paths.
The Wildcats welcome Southern into Jackie Robinson Ballpark for a three game series beginning Friday, March 28 at 7 p.m.
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--#HailWildcats--
