MIAMI - Florida International right-hander Aaron Arboleya pitched seven scoreless innings to lead the Golden Panthers to a 5-0 win over University of South Alabama baseball Sunday afternoon at FIU Baseball Stadium.
Arboleya (5-2) allowed just four hits while striking out six and walking one to lead FIU to its second consecutive sweep over the Jags in as many seasons. Arboleya allowed just two Jaguars to reach third base in the game, and did not allow a runner past second after the third inning.
USA right-hander Garrett Harris (5-4) suffered the loss in six innings pitched, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out seven and issuing five walks. Three of FIU's five batters who walked in the game came around to score.
Golden Panther first baseman Rudy Flores went 3-for-4 with a triple, two RBI and a run scored to lead Florida International at the plate. Junior Arrojo went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and one run scored, and Garrett Wittels added one hit to extend his NCAA-best hitting streak to 45 games.
Jaguar second baseman Zach Grichor went 2-for-4 with a stolen base to lead South Alabama at the plate. Adam Heisler, Brent Tanner, Taylor White and Nolan Earley had one hit each in the game.
Flores gave the Golden Panthers a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning with a triple to right-center field to score Jeremy Patton, who led off the inning with a walk.
FIU doubled its lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning on an RBI single up the middle by Flores to score Mike Martinez, after he reached on a two-out walk.
Wittels gave FIU a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth with a sacrifice fly to right field to score Pablo Bermudez, who reached on a walk.
USA brought the tying run to the plate with no outs in the top of the eighth after Grichor singled and Heisler walked, but failed to advance either runner.
FIU (30-20, 16-11 SBC) opened up a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning when Arrojo homered to left field.
USA (30-23, 16-11 SBC) will return to action when it hosts a three-game Sun Belt Conference series with Troy, beginning Thu., May 20, at 6 p.m. at Stanky Field.
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: Heisler extended his on-base streak to 33 games ... USA fell to 25-22 all-time against FIU, and dropped its seventh consecutive game to the Golden Panthers ... The Jags fell to 8-10 all-time at FIU ... Sunday's loss marked the second consecutive season FIU has swept the Jags.
