Panthers’ clutch hitting helps take series over Marshall

Alejandro Aguirre/ Asst. Sports Director

No team likes to be in the bottom of the standings. That’s where FIU was headed if it didn’t win this series against Marshall. Instead, they were able to gather timely hits and good pitching to end up exactly in the middle of the pack of the Conference USA standings. FIU was able to take two out of three games over the Thundering Herd who are now in second to last place after losing the series.

On the three-game series senior outfielder Brian Portelli had a bases-clearing double which broke open the game. The Panthers led 3-1 in the top of the sixth inning before Portelli blasted a three-run double into the left-center field gap to extend FIU’s lead to 6-1.
After this hit, the Panthers never looked back to take game one easily 7-4. Portelli lead the offense that game providing four RBI’s. His 22 RBI on the season are second on the team to Edwin Rios, who has 23 RBI.

Game two ended on a sour note for the Panthers as they didn’t expect that type of ending to a game that could have been won easily. Marshall was able to have a come from behind victory in their last at bats in the bottom of the ninth inning.

After getting the first two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, FIU closer Danny Dopico walked a Marshall hitter and the next batter followed with a double before Dundon’s game-winning hit.
This was a rare thing to see for Panther fans because Dopico has been a consistent and solid closer all season but unfortunately they weren’t able to hold the lead and lost 5-4.

In the series finale, FIU pitching dominated the game and was able to silence Marshall’s bats.  Sophomore Chris Mourelle led the charge as he only gave up four hits in eight and one third innings pitched.
Mourelle was pitching a shutout into the ninth inning before the Thundering Herd mustered up their only run off the right-hander. Mourelle got his fifth win of the season by allowing only six hits, one run, two walks and striking out five batters.

Jack Schaaf started the offense for the Panthers in the top of the fifth inning. Rey Perez led off the inning with a walk and was brought in to score when Schaaf lined a double into the left field corner. Edwin Rios added an insurance run to extend the lead in the ninth with his eighth home run of the season.

Danny Dopico was able to redeem himself from his game two performance when he gave up the lead. He relieved Mourelle with one out in the bottom of the ninth. Dopico had runners on first and second base.

Pinch-hitter Ryne Dean was the first batter to face Dopico and eventually struck out. Dean got Andrew Dundon to ground out to record his fifth save of the season.

With the win FIU took the three-game set from Marshall and improved to 13-15 overall and 5-4 in Conference USA to be in sixth place. They hope to keep climbing the standings as they return home for the month of April. The Panthers next take on Bethune-Cookman at home on Tuesday, March 31.