Baseball looks to snap losing streak against FGCU

Will Duval | Sports Director

The FIU baseball team is looking to snap their losing streak and is traveling to Fort Myers, Florida to take on the FGCU Eagles on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

Coming into this matchup, the Panthers hold a 23-20 overall record and took a 11-0 shutout defeat against the Dallas Baptist Patriots on Sunday, April 28. That game marked the final matchup of a three game series, where the team left winless.

Vs. DBU:

Over their three game series against DBU, FIU allowed their opponent to score a total of 25 runs and only score five runs themselves. Despite the scoring discrepancy between the two teams, the second game of the series still reached extra innings.

After taking a 9-3 defeat in their first matchup, the Panthers showed a renewed defensive intensity for a large portion of their second game. Over the first nine innings they limited the Patriots to a single run, which came during the second inning.

Fifth year infielder Miguel Santos delivered a powerful hit towards left field that resulted in a home run. His score allowed his team to take a 1-0 lead by the bottom of the second inning, which they maintained until the seventh inning.

With two players on base for FIU, junior outfielder Hector Candelas hit a single towards left field and allowed redshirt junior outfielder Austin Dearing to score. Able to tie the game at 1-1, Candelas’ score marked the team’s only run before reaching extra innings.

Neither team scored a run until the eleventh inning, where DBU was able to take firm control of the game. Over the span of three at-bats, the team was able to score four runs, beginning with sophomore outfielder Joey Nerat scoring off a fly-out.

Following the score by Nerat, sophomore infielder Michael Dattalo reached home plate and scored after a single. Capping off their scoring run, junior infielder Chayton Krauss hit a triple on the next at-bat and allowed two runners to score.

Facing a 5-1 deficit in the eleventh inning, the Panthers needed to respond with a minimum of four runs to keep the game alive. Although they scored once during the final inning, it wasn’t enough for a substantial comeback.

Through the Patriots’ late game offensive surge, FIU took a 5-2 defeat in the second game of their three game series. After the loss, the series concluded with DBU claiming an 11-0 win and a sweep.

Moving into their next game, the Panthers must reestablish their momentum on both offense and defense before their matchup against FGCU.

Vs. FGCU:

Entering this matchup, the Eagles hold a 20-22 overall record and are coming off back to back losses against the Lipscomb Bisons on Sunday, April 28. In both games, they took identical 7-6 losses and struggled to keep up with their opponent’s scoring in each.

In the second game of the series, freshman pitcher Evan Dempsey displayed his positional versatility and finished with a team-high two runs in five at-bats. Providing the team with more than just pitching, he also plays outfielder and first baseman.

Sophomore pitcher Justin Henschel also made a substantial defensive contribution, as he finished with six strikeouts and allowed one run. 

If FIU wishes to leave this game victorious, they must generate runs offensively in order to keep up with their opponent’s scoring. While seeming incredibly simple, the team’s lack of offense in their series against the Patriots is what led to their sweep.

Beyond figuring out ways to score, their pitchers cannot allow FGCU to have many hittable balls. Over a three game span, the Panthers struggled to make defensive stops and allowed their opponent to score 25 runs.

Looking to snap their three game losing streak, the FIU baseball team is traveling to Fort Myers, Florida to take on the FGCU Eagles on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. at Swanson Stadium and the game will be broadcasted on ESPN+.

Prediction:
FIU: 4

FGCU: 2

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