MIAMI - Pablo Bermudez delivered an RBI triple in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead Florida International to a 6-5 win over University of South Alabama baseball Friday night at FIU Baseball Stadium.

FIU second baseman Junior Arrojo singled to lead off the bottom of the eighth, and scored the game-winning run on Bermudez' triple to right field. USA second baseman Zach Grichor took the relay throw from Jaguar right fielder Sean Laird, and delivered a strike to Brent Tanner, but Arrojo slid around the tag at the plate to put the Golden Panthers up 6-5.

With USA trailing 5-3 in the top of the eighth inning, Laird hit a 3-1 fastball over the left field wall to tie the game 5-5, before FIU answered with the eventual game-winning run in the bottom half of the eighth.

Four Golden Panther hitters recorded multiple hits in the game, led by Bermudez and Arrojo, who had two hits and one RBI each.

Laird went 1-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and a run scored to lead USA at the plate. Brandon Brown added a hit and an RBI, and Jake Overstreet drove in one run.

FIU left-hander R.J. Fondon (4-2) earned the win in eight innings, allowing five runs on six hits while striking out five and issuing three walks. Right-hander Eric Berkowitz earned the save in one inning pitched, and allowed one hit and struck out one.

USA right-hander D.D. Hanks (9-5) suffered the loss in eight innings, allowing six runs on 12 hits while striking out four and walking three.

Florida International (28-20, 14-11 SBC) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single by Garrett Wittels, which extended his NCAA-best hitting streak to 43 games.

USA answered to tie the game in the top of the second inning on an RBI single to center field by Brown to score Tanner, after he reached on an error.

FIU scored two runs in the bottom of the second on a fielding error by Overstreet and a passed ball to take a 3-1 lead.

The Jags answered with two runs in the top of the third inning on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Overstreet and a groundout to third off the bat of Laird which scored Grichor.

The Golden Panthers added a run in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI single by Behar to take a 4-3 lead, and increased their lead to 5-3 in the bottom of the seveth inning when Brown attempted to throw behind Jeremy Patton at third base after Raiko Alfonso's single to shortstop. Brown's throw sailed into the FIU dugout allowing Patton to score.

USA again answered FIU's run when Laird hit his ninth home run of the season in the top of the eighth, before Bermudez delivered the game-winning hit.

USA (30-21, 16-9 SBC) continues its series with FIU Saturday at 5 p.m. (CT) at FIU Baseball Stadium.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

- USA -

 

NOTES:  Adam Heisler extended his on-base streak to 31 games ... Tanner has reached base safely in 34 of his last 35 games  ... Laird homered for the second consecutive game, and has driven in eight runs in those contests ... USA did not steal a base for the fourth consecutive game, marking the longest stretch of the season the Jags have not stolen a base ... USA fell to 25-20 all-time against FIU, and dropped its fifth consecutive game to the Golden Panthers ... The Jags fell to 8-8 all-time at FIU.