MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Florida International knocked off University of South Alabama baseball 10-9 Friday to eliminate the Jaguars from the Sun Belt Conference Championship.

The Golden Panthers scored eight runs in the first four innings, and looked to have the game in hand until the Jaguars rallied for six runs in the top of the sixth inning to cut the FIU lead to 8-7.

South Alabama scored six in the sixth on RBI doubles by Zach Grichor and Brent Tanner, a two-run single by Jake Overstreet and fielder's choice RBI by Clint Reynolds and Adam Heisler.

USA tied the game 8-8 in the top of the seventh inning when Adam Heisler grounded out to second to score Reynolds, who reached on a hit by pitch earlier in the inning.

FIU (33-23) answered with two runs in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single by Junior Arrojo and a sacrifice fly by Pablo Bermudez to take a 10-8 lead.

The Jags responded with a run in the top of the eighth inning when Taylor White singled to left-center field to score Overstreet, who reached on an error to lead off the inning.

In the top of the ninth and trailing by a run, Heisler delivered a one-out single to right field, but never advanced past first base.

Mike Martinez went 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and a run scored to lead the Golden Panthers at the plate. Junior Arrojo went 3-for-3 with two RBI, one run scored and two stolen bases, and Rudy Flores added a home run and three RBI.

Corey Polizzano (3-4) earned the win in 1.2 innings of relief, allowing three runs on four hits while issuing one walk. Right-hander Eric Berkowitz earned his ninth save of the season in two innings of relief, and allowed one run on two hits while striking out three with one walk.

Jaguar right-hander Shane LeBlanc (0-1) suffered the loss in 2.2 relief innings, and allowed one run on two hits and two walks.

USA seniors Heisler and Grichor went 2-for-6 with two RBI to lead the Jaguars at the plate. Heisler added two runs and a stolen base, and Grichor added a double and one run scored. Overstreet finished with a hit, two RBI and two runs scored, White added two hits, an RBI and a run, and Brent Tanner and Reynolds added an RBI apiece.

Garrett Wittels gave the Golden Panthers a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI single to left field, extending his NCAA-best hitting streak to 51 games. FIU added a second run in the inning on a fielder's choice off the bat of Martinez to take a 2-0 lead.

The Golden Panthers extended their lead to 6-0 in the bottom of the third inning on a three-run home run by Flores and an RBI double by Arrojo, and increased their lead to 8-0 in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run homer by Martinez.

The Jags cut the FIU lead to 8-1 in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI single by Grichor that scored Heisler, who reached on a single, before South Alabama erupted for six runs in the sixth inning.

USA (32-27) stranded 12 runners in the game, while FIU left eight runners on base.

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:  USA fell to 26-23 all-time against FIU ... Grichor extended his errorless streak to 44 games ... Overstreet recorded his team-best 21st multiple-RBI game ... White recorded his team-best 23rd multiple-hit game of the season.