Jolson Diaz/Staff Writer
The Panthers hosted Western Kentucky University and were unable to get any offense going as they were victim to a three game sweep on Saturday and Sunday, April 27 and 28.
“We didn’t play very well, we just didn’t hit. We were off balance and kept chasing pitches which gave their pitcher an advantage,” said Head Coach Jake Schumann. “Any pitcher is going to challenge you with two strikes aggressively and that’s what they kept doing and we couldn’t make the adjustments.”
In the first game of the doubleheader the Hilltoppers (18-3, 35-14 SBC) attacked first, junior Amanda Thomas knocked a solo shot to left field putting them ahead 1-0 in the fourth inning.
The Hilltoppers kept that lead up until the bottom of the seventh, up until senior Jessy Alfonso got things going for the Panthers (10-11, 27-24 SBC) with a double to start the inning. Senior Kayla Burri brought the Panthers back into the game after driving in a run with a single, tying the score at one apiece.
The Panthers were not able to complete the comeback victory, after the Hilltoppers scored their game winning run in the top of the eighth inning, completing the 2-1 victory.
Panther’s starter Corrine Jenkins (13-7) picked up her seventh loss of the season giving up one earned run off seven hits in a complete game pitched.
The second game of the double-header was the same story for the Panthers. Starter Mariah Dawson (5-14) picked up her 13th loss in a complete game while only giving up one run off two hits, striking out three Hilltoppers.
The Panther’s offense was non-existent as the Hilltoppers starter Mallorie Sulaski pitched a complete game shutout allowing only two Panther hits coming from junior Bre Kay and senior Brie Rojas.
During the final game of the series the Hilltoppers wasted no time getting the early lead. During the top of the second inning an RBI single by Shawna Sadler put the Hilltoppers up 1-0.
The game would break open in the following inning, thanks to a two-run blast by Ciara Garcia and a sacrifice fly by Sadler to put the Hilltoppers up 4-0.
The Hilltoppers starting pitcher Emily Rousseau pitched a complete game shutout allowing only four panther hits.
FIU sent four pitchers to the mound, Dawson picked up her 14th loss allowing three runs off five hits during two innings pitched.
“We got two more home games coming up and senior night on Friday, we’re looking forward to give the seniors a nice standing off,” said Schumann. “We will get it figured out; we got a few days off this week with finals, enough time to get our heads clear and figure it all out.”
FIU will host Florida Atlantic University on Friday, May 3 at 6p.m and will recognize their five seniors who will be playing in the final home stand of their FIU careers.
