By: Andres Leon / Staff Writer
The Golden Panthers came home for a short two game series starting Tuesday, April 5 against Bethune-Cookman. The Golden Panthers would rally back from three runs down to beat the Wildcats 7-3. FIU (18-12, 4-5 SBC) gave the start to Kyle Fitzpatrick.
PITCHING DUEL
Fitzpatrick would throw a pitching duel going seven innings only allowing three runs on five hits. BCU’s infield would halt any offense from FIU in the bottom of the third.
“I threw pretty well early on and [Assistant Coach] Sean [Allen] came over told me to find my spots and let the ball drop, after that I got my slider going.” Fitzpatrick added, “Its always good to get closer to that 40 win mark.”
BCU second basemen Alejandro Sanchez would snatch Iosmel Leon out at second to then throw to first get Bermudez out for the double play that would end the hope for the Golden Panthers in the third inning.
The Wildcats would break the scoreboard later on in the top of the fourth inning.
After throwing three strikeouts Fitzpatrick would put himself in a hole by walking the BCU leadoff hitter, Paul Biocic. After one out, Peter O’Brien would fire a single deep into left field to bring Biocic home for the first run of the game.
Although Sean Allen would have a quick meeting on the mound, BCU struck again hitting a single down the right field line.
After reaching first, Emmanuel Castro stole second placing two runners in scoring position. After a long fight with Fitzpatrick, Matt Wright would fling a base hit down the right field line for a RBI double to bring in two runs for BCU.
Fitzpatrick would regain his form against the Wildcats by earning his fifth strikeout in the top of the fifth.
RALLY BACK
Leading the way for the rally, Yoandy Barroso would hit a triple to put himself in scoring position. BCU starter Rayan Gonzalez would hit Iosmel Leon to put him on first. After the hit by a pitch, Pablo Bermudez would drive a base hit deep down the right field line to bring Barroso home for FIUs first score of the game.
Bermudez reached all the way to second as T.J. Shantz flew out to left center field, but Leon would eventually score to cut the deficit to one run. Jeremy Patton would swing a deep ball into gap in left field which led to Bermudez coming home to tie the game at three.
Gonzalez was taken off the mound for BCU after pitching four and two-thirds innings giving up three runs and six hits, but earning two errors. FIU took advantage when BCU summoned sophomore Jordan Dailey to finish the game for the Wildcats.
Dailey wasn’t able find the strike zone at first, as Yoandy Barroso would reach base after being walked.
With Barroso at second, T.J. Shantz singled to right field only to get picked off by the BCU catcher at second. However, Barroso would score in time to break the tie and give the Golden Panthers the one-run advantage.
FIU would stop any opportunity for BCUs offense to rally back with an inning-ending double play.
Martinez singled through the right side. Jabari Henry would continue the FIU offensive by hitting a single into a right field gap to take Martinez all the way to third putting the insurance run in scoring position.
The Golden Panthers would summon Garrett Wittels off the bench to pinch-hit for David Vazquez in the bottom of the eighth inning. In his only at-bat, Wittels blasted a three-run homerun past the right field wall. With Wittels’ homer, FIU would jump ahead 7-3 over the Wildcats.
“He’s been getting better all year not only on offense but on defense and we were looking for insurance runs, it was big play, no doubt about it,” Turtle Thomas said.
Bryam Garcia sealed the deal for FIU, closing the game in the ninth.
Garcia this season has a 1.32 ERA, striking out 21 batters.
Turtle Thomas wasn’t very happy throughout the game but was pleased with the result.
“I was angry for the first five innings, but Kyle is a great player and he’s mature enough to overcome adversity,” Thomas said.
The Golden Panthers will travel to Alabama to return to conference play for a three-game series against Troy on April 8.
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