Panthers Dismantled by Pepperdine in Second Meeting

Richard Gibson/Staff Writer

Springing into leap day, the Panthers needed to bounce back after their first loss of the season to Pepperdine. The Waves struck first, but FIU forced the game to extra innings, where they would fall, 9-8. Tonight’s match saw Pepperdine score first again, and FIU had to trail once more. Unfortunately, they couldn’t meet the expectations and fell in a 9-2 rout. 

The first inning saw action for both teams. Pepperdine managed a single and walk but couldn’t convert them into runs. For FIU, Derek Cartaya and Jose Garcia both singled, but three straight outs would leave the first inning scoreless.

Pepperdine’s second inning consisted of just a single that they wouldn’t convert to a run. The Panther’s at-bat saw Ben Rozenblum get hit by a pitch, then Juan Teixiera singled. However, just like the first inning, FIU wouldn’t convert them into runs. 

The third inning for Pepperdine began with a home run. They wouldn’t get anything after that but would gain the lead. FIU couldn’t answer, with three straight outs.

Looking for more runs, Pepperdine did that in the fourth. After a walk, a double and RBI singles brought two more runs, increasing their lead to 3-0. FIU now needed to bounce back, and Justin Farmer began with a single of his own. Teixiera then singled, bringing in Farmer to score. Then, Luis Cavez doubled, bringing in Teixiera, and FIU shortened Pepperdine’s lead to 3-2.   

The fifth inning saw another run for the Waves. After a single off an error by FIU, a single would bring in another run, increasing the lead to 4-2. For FIU, Cartaya and Farmer both singled. Rozenblum was then hit by a pitch, filling the bases. Unfortunately, FIU ended the inning leaving everyone on base, and the score remained 4-2.

Pepperdine managed a single in the sixth inning, but nothing more. FIU managed a single by Roberto Sotolongo, but also couldn’t manage any runs. 

The seventh inning for Pepperdine was brief but important, beginning with an instant home run. The Waves then earned a single and walk, then another single brought in another run. A third single brought in Pepperdine’s seventh run. FIU’s time at bat only saw a single walk, and the Wave’s lead was now 7-2.

With the lead well in Pepperdine’s control, the Waves added icing to the cake in the eighth inning. After a pair of walks, a single brought in another run. Another single brought in the Waves’ ninth run, increasing the lead to 9-2. FIU had no answer, despite a single by Sotolongo. 

The ninth inning for Pepperdine consisted of just a single, and it was up to FIU to score seven runs. Despite Alec Sanchez earning a single, FIU couldn’t answer and fell to Pepperdine in a 9-2 beatdown. 

FIU only managed 11 hits in 38 at-bats. Four separate players for FIU put up two hits- Cartaya, Farmer, Teixiera, and Sotolongo. FIU committed two errors and was struck out seven times.

The final game between FIU and Pepperdine will be on Sunday, March 1st at noon. After that, FIU will begin a three-game series against the Penn Quakers. The first game begins on Friday, March 6th at 7 p.m. The next game will be on Saturday, March 7th at 6 p.m. The final match will be on Sunday, March 8th at noon. FIU then plays a game against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Wednesday, March 11th.