FIU Comeback Thwarts Owls 6-5

Friday, April 10

Boca Raton, Fla.

6:30 PM

Florida Atlantic

26-8, 9-4

FIU

16-18, 7-6

FIU

Florida Atlantic

4/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

April 10, 2015

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Florida Atlantic baseball team led for seven innings before FIU came back late to take a 6-5 Conference USA victory on Friday night.

The Owls (26-8, 9-4 C-USA) struck early with four runs in the first inning to go up on the rival Panthers (16-18, 4-3 C-USA) as Stephen Kerr, Brett Lashley and Brendon Sanger each singled to lead-off the game.

Sanger drove in Kerr before an FIU error allowed Roman Collins to reach and Brett Lashley to score. An Esteban Puerta sacrifice fly and a Christian Dicks RBI single drove in two more runs.

FIU responded with two runs on three hits in the seventh to cut the lead in half. Collins led off the third with a triple before coming in to score on an RBI groundout by Puerta to retake a three-run lead at 5-3.

FAU starter Kyle Miller held the Panthers scoreless through the seventh, allowing six hits with two strikeouts before leaving the game with nearly 100 pitches thrown.

With two on base in the eighth, FIU's Brian Portelli doubled before a wild pitch and an FAU error helped the Panthers score four runs to take their first lead of the game at 6-5.

Stephen Kerr walked in the ninth and was called out on a fielder's choice as FIU held on for the victory.

Dicks and Sanger each had a pair of hits and Puerta drove in two runs in the loss.

The two teams will square off Saturday at 4 p.m. at the FAU Baseball Stadium. For tickets, call 1-866-FAU-OWLS or visit FAUSports.com