Richard Gibson/Staff Writer
Coming off an impressive 20-7 win against the Rams on Friday, FIU couldn’t take their feet off the gas. Despite the loss, the Rams still put up seven runs, and had the potential to run up the score on FIU.
Just like the previous game, a 2-hour rain delay got both teams antsy for the first pitch. In addition, it rained nearly all of the game, to the point where it was called early. Even with the rain, another impressive offensive performance by FIU and some clutch pitching secured an 8-0 win.
The first inning for Fordham saw two runners get on base, but some clutch pitching by Tyler Myrick got them out of it with no runs. For FIU, Derek Cartaya began with a single, but FIU couldn’t do any more in the first inning.
Fordham didn’t fare much better in the second inning. Getting hit by a pitch brought one Ram to first base, but a double play by FIU sealed the inning. Ben Rozenblum doubled, courtesy of a Fordham error. But just like the first inning, that was it for FIU.
The third inning’s biggest highlight for Fordham may have been a broken aluminum bat, but that was all. FIU’s third inning was just as quiet- a 1-2-3 series.
The fourth inning for Fordham began with two singles and a walk, loading up the bases. After a pitching change to Stephen Casey, FIU got the out they needed, and left everyone on base. For FIU, Jose Garcia and Justin Farmer singled, and Juan Teixeira hit a ball to deep center field, and scored two runs, giving FIU a 2-0 lead.
The fifth inning saw an error on FIU bring in a Fordham single, then a pair of walks. Despite having the bases loaded a second time, another clutch out by FIU left everyone stranded. Jarrett Ford for FIU singled, and Cartaya walked. Garcia then doubled, sending in Ford, and FIU ended the fifth inning with a 3-0 lead.
Fordham’s offense was sloppy all night, and the sixth inning was another example. After a quick 1-2-3 series, FIU’s offense was up. An off the wall double for Rozenblum set FIU up, and a wild pitch by Fordham brought Rozenblum home, and FIU increased their lead to 4-0 after six innings.
In the seventh, Fordham would grab a single, but the Rams couldn’t get anything going after that. For FIU, Cartaya nailed a double, then Garcia hit a double that brought Cartaya in. Farmer walked, then Rozenblum nailed a double that brought Garcia in. An RBI by Teixiera brought in Farmer. A wild pitch by Fordham would then bring in Rozenblum, and FIU led 8-0.
With heavy rain beginning to pour onto the field, and FIU already maintaining a dominant 8-0 lead, the umpires called the game early. This earns pitcher Steven Casey the win, and the Panthers advance to 2-0.
FIU secured 11 hits off of 32 at bats, including five RBIs. Three players tied for two earned runs: Garcia, Farmer, and Rozenblum. The bullpen only allowed five hits total, and there were only two errors on the defense.
FIU has one more game to play against the Rams: Sunday, February 16th at 2pm. After that, FIU will travel to Daytona-Beach to take on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, on Tuesday, February 18th at 6pm.
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