MIAMI — Cooper Rasmussen's two run single in the eighth proved to be the difference in an 8-6 victory for FIU over Bethune-Cookman at FIU Baseball Stadium. After falling behind early, the Wildcats slowly climbed back into the game, taking the lead in the seventh. But B-CU was unable to hold on as the Panthers won their second straight.
FIU (15-29, 6-15) opened the scoring in the first inning, capitalizing on a pair of baserunners and an error to take a 1-0 lead.
Bethune-Cookman (31-14, 17-4) answered in the second inning in unconventional fashion. After reaching base, Maikol Lucena stole home to tie the game at 1-1.
FIU regained the lead in the second on an RBI single from Marc Hersh, then broke the game open in the third inning. FIU plated three runs on a two-RBI double by Andrew Ildefonso and an RBI single from Aidan Cohall to extend the advantage to 5-1.
The Wildcats chipped away in the fourth when Erick Almonte scored on a sacrifice fly by Jorge Rodriguez to make it 5-2.
Bethune-Cookman continued to rally in the fifth inning. After a leadoff walk, Andrey Martinez blasted a two-run home run to cut the deficit to 5-4.
The Wildcats took their first lead of the game in the seventh. Christopher Watson tied the game with a solo home run before a sacrifice fly from Michael Rodriguez gave B-CU a 6-5 advantage.
FIU responded immediately in the bottom of the seventh as Mario Trivella hit a solo home run to even the score at 6-6.
The Panthers delivered the decisive blow in the eighth inning. With runners on base, Cooper Rasmussen singled to left field to drive in two runs and give FIU an 8-6 lead.
Bethune-Cookman was unable to mount a comeback in the ninth as FIU closed out the win. Jordan Vargas earned the victory in relief, while Gabriel Moorer was charged with the loss.
- Maikol Lucena and Jose Fernandez each had two-hit games.
- Andrey Martinez picked up two RBi on his fifth inning homer.
- David Morrissey and Frank Perez each pitched scoreless outings out of the bullpen.
- Each team finished with three errors.
- Jordan Vargas pitched 2.1 innings of scoreless ball with three strikeouts to his first win of the season.
The Wildcats host Arkansas-Pine Bluff at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex. The three-game weekend set begins Friday at 7 p.m.
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--#HailWildcats--
