By Anthony Guivas/Staff Writer
sports@fiusm.com
The Panthers looked to get above .500 after only winning one game in the FAU Invitational last week, but their luck would not change as they lost to California 8-1 to start the DeMarini Invitational.
FIU’s offense was once again stagnant as they managed little to no support for starter Mariah Dawson who struggled against No.1 Cal that now stands at 13-0.
Mariah allowed five runs on eight hits in only three and two third innings of work falling to 5-3 so far in the young season.
To FIU’s credit the Panthers had a fighters chance early on for the first three innings only trailing by two at the beginning of the bottom of the fourth.
Cal started off red hot driving in two runs in the first to then follow it up with a run in second running up the lead to 3-1. FIU would add their sole run in the fourth when Beth Peller got on with a fielder’s choice.
Later on Peller would advance to second which was then followed by Brie Rojas who got an infield single which then lead to Peller scoring after the ball got away from Cal’s first baseman.
So after FIU cut the deficit to two runs the game went right down hill as the Golden Bears delivered five runs within the next two innings carving another loss for the Panthers.
Now while FIU faced Cal during a torrid start of 13-0 it does not change the fact that the Panther bats must wake up as they have only scored eight runs in the past five games. Five of which came in one game against Florida A&M.