Jacob Spiwak/Staff Writer
Despite the wind and chilly temperature that dropped 14 degrees over the course of the night, it was Opening Day for FIU baseball as they defeated No. 25 University of Tennessee Volunteers 4-3.
FIU’s bats came out of the gate very slow, as the Panthers were unable to record a hit until the 3rd inning. They threatened to score in the bottom of the 3rd with a runner standing 90 feet from the plate, but a groundout by Julius Gaines ended the scoring threat.
The Volunteers, on the other hand, were able to strike early. An RBI triple by Christin Stewart gave Tennessee a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st. FIU was able to hold the Vols to just one run, but with the way FIU was hitting early on that lead looked to be enough.
The intensity picked up in the 6th inning, as UT was able to take a 2-0 advantage on a throwing error by freshman pitcher Andres Nuñez. FIU appeared to have a sure double play when Jeff Moberg popped up a 1-out bunt attempt, but Nunez rushed the throw and it ended up in the outfield.
Just as it looked like the Vols had full control of the Opening Day contest, FIU flipped their offensive switch on in the home half of the 6th inning. After a walk, a poorly fielded bunt, and a poor throwing decision by UT on another bunt, the bases were loaded with nobody out. Preseason All-American Edwin Rios drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to make the score 2-1, and Josh Anderson gave FIU their first lead of the night with a 2-RBI double.
UT tied the game in the top of the 7th on a 1-out bases loaded walk by Nunez, and looked as if they might break the game open. However, junior relief pitcher Danny Dopico came in and struck out the next two batters, ending the scoring threat.
“It felt great to come in and pick up one of my teammates,” Dopico said. “I went out there and competed the best that I could, stayed focused, and it was just working today.”
FIU took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the 7th on a throwing error, and Dopico was called on again in the 8th inning. After hitting the first batter of the inning, he struck out the next 4 (one of which reached base on a dropped third strike), bringing his strikeout count to 6 on the day out of 7 batters faced.
Dopico appeared to flex in celebration as he stepped off the mound after the 8th inning, but downplayed it in the post-game interview.
“[Laughs] I don’t know about that,” Dopico said. “I was just pumped after getting out of another tough inning with runners in scoring position. I was ready to get back to the dugout and watch our hitters go to work.”
After the bottom of the 8th went by without the Panthers extending their lead, Robby Kalaf was called on to close the game. He found himself getting into trouble, with runners advancing to 2nd and 3rd with one out. After intentionally walking Vincent Jackson to load the bases, Coach Turtle Thomas elected to call on Williams Durruthy to hold off the UT rally.
Durruthy did just that, shaking off the pressure and striking out the next two batters to secure the victory for FIU.
“It’s pretty special [to close a game like that],” Durruthy said. “I was waiting for my name to be called and coach gave me an opportunity to go out there and do what I had to do.”
Other standout players for the Panthers included center fielder Jack Schaaf (1-2 with 2 walks and 2 runs) and starting pitcher Cody Crouse (5+ innings, 6 hits, 6 strikeouts, 1 walk, and 1 earned run).
After the game, Crouse discussed how important it was for the Panthers to get a win on Opening Day, especially against a ranked opponent like UT.
“It’s huge [to win a game like this],” Crouse said. “I think this definitely carries over to Saturday, and it might even carry over to Sunday and the next series after that. We just have to keep on rolling.”
Coach Turtle Thomas saw his career record in season openers improve to 5-3 after the victory tonight. He discussed how satisfying it was to see his team hold onto a lead and start the season on a positive note.
“Winning baseball games always gives your individuals and your team collectively a lot of confidence,” Coach Thomas said. “So winning a game like that and holding on at the end in a bases loaded, one out situation without letting them even tie it up is pretty good.”
FIU will host Tennessee in the second game of this weekend series at 6 PM on Saturday, and the finale will be at 1 PM on Sunday.
About Post Author
