FIU batters string together 14 hits in 8-3 victory over Mississippi State

Brett Shweky // Staff Writer

FIU snapped No. 22 Mississippi State’s seven-game winning streak Tuesday night at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville, Mississippi, as the Panthers defeated the Bulldogs 8-3.

In the first meeting ever between the two teams, the Panthers (17-11) were able to secure 14 hits and two home runs off the Bulldogs’ (19-11) pitching. FIU has now defeated 15 of its last 20 opponents.

The Bulldogs scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first, when outfielder Brent Rooker sent a two-run home run over the center field wall. The homerun was Rooker’s 10th of the season, which leads the Southeastern Conference.

Following the early home run, FIU starter Robert Garcia (2-4) retired the next 15 consecutive MSU batters. The senior right-hander went six innings, allowed three runs off only three hits and struck out a career-high-tying nine batters.

In the top of the second inning, first baseman Nick Day tied the game for FIU as he launched a two-run home run over center field wall. Day, who was the home run leader last season with 10, hit his fourth home run to tie infielder JC Escarra for the team lead.  

MSU relief pitcher Trey Jolly (0-1) struggled to contain the Panthers in the fifth, as he gave up the lead for good with three straight singles by left fielder Javier Valdes, centerfielder Kenny Meimerstorf and Escarra, who drove in Valdes.

The Panthers blew open the doors against the Bulldogs with a four-run seventh inning.

After Valdes flied out to MSU right fielder Tanner Poole for the first out of the inning, centerfielder Kenny Meimerstorf blasted a solo home run over the left field wall for the 5-3 FIU lead. Escarra followed up with single and was pinch-run for by outfielder Kolby Follis, who later scored on a single by Day. Right fielder Jack Schaaf drove home Day with a single and third baseman Zach Files scored on a bunt by second baseman Kobe Lopez to bring the score to 8-3.

Day drove in three runs against Bulldogs to continue his hot-streak he established last weekend against the UAB Blazers. Meimerstorf went 3 for 3 to increase his team-leading average.

Meimerstorf, who is currently hitting a team-leading .381 average, said that he had been sticking with the process to continue his success week-after-week.

“Every week I go about my business the same way, I work hard and just continue to stick to the process,” said the senior centerfielder. “This year our coaching staff has done an amazing job at helping and have engrained in our mind the toughness that it takes for us as a team to be successful.”

Left-hander Dominic LoBrutto threw a scoreless final three innings for FIU, allowing only one hit and struck out three opposing batters for record his second save.

FIU and MSU will finish-off the two-game series Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. as right-hander Michael Agis will get the start for the Panthers, while right-hander Cole Gordon will get the nod for the Bulldogs. The Panthers will continue their road trip as they will travel to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on Friday to take on the Southern Miss Golden Eagles for a three-game series.