Box score


MIAMI – T.J. Shantz delivered a bases-loaded walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th inning to lead Florida International to a 10-9 win over the University of South Alabama baseball team Saturday night at FIU Baseball Stadium.

The Golden Panthers loaded the bases on a walk by Jeremy Patton, hit by pitch by Joel Capote and intentional walk to Jabari Henry following a sacrifice bunt by Mike Martinez. Shantz then hit the first pitch he saw from Collin Blankenship through the left side of the infield to end the game.

South Alabama (22-20, 9-11 SBC) faced a 9-4 deficit heading into the top of the ninth inning, but scored five runs to tie the game on just two hits. The Jags loaded the bases on a leadoff single by Logan Kirkland and consecutive walks by Jordan Patterson and Hunt Griffith. Jeff DeBlieux drove in Kirkland with a sacrifice fly to center field, then USA loaded the bases when Overstreet was hit by a pitch. Brent Tanner followed with a two-out, two-run single to cut the FIU lead to 9-7. Golden Panther reliever Bryam Garcia then proceeded to walk two consecutive runs in to tie the game.

The Jags scored four runs in the top of the second inning to take a 4-2 lead, tying the game 2-2 in the inning on a bases-loaded, two-run single by DeBlieux. USA loaded the bases on consecutive singles by Brad Hook and Kirkland, and a hit by pitch by Griffith. South Alabama loaded the bases for the second time in the inning on a bunt single by Taylor White. Overstreet then grounded to Patton, who had the ball shoot between his legs, allowing Griffith and DeBlieux to score and give the Jags 4-2 lead.

FIU regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI double by Jose Behar and a bases-loaded single by Patton. USA starter Dustin Crenshaw worked out of a bases-loaded jam later in the inning with a pop-up off the bat of Garrett Wittels and a 4-6-3 inning-ending double play off the bat of Rudy Flores.

FIU (27-16, 12-8 SBC) carried a 5-4 lead into the bottom-half of the seventh inning, but extended its lead to 6-4 on an RBI single by Barroso. The Golden Panthers added two additional runs on a throwing error by Tanner and wild pitch by Kyle Dees, and added their fourth run of the inning on an RBI single by Pablo Bermudez to take a 9-4 lead.

Yoandy Barroso went 4-for-5 with one RBI and two runs scored, and Patton went 3-for-3 with an RBI and three runs to lead FIU at the plate.

DeBlieux went 2-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored to lead South Alabama at the plate. Hook and Kirkland added two hits and an RBI apiece. Tanner finished with a hit and two RBI, and Overstreet drove in one run.

Aaron Arboleya (2-1) earned the win in 1 1/3 shutout innings and did not allow a hit while striking out two. Blankenship (2-3) suffered the loss in 1 1/3 relief innings, allowing one run on two hits with two walks.

The teams combined to strand 31 runners in the game, with South Alabama leaving 17 runners on base. The schools also combned for 22 base on balls in the contest.

The series will conclude Sunday at noon (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).



NOTES:  The game went through a 36-minute rain delay in the bottom of the fifth inning … Hook recorded his first stolen base of the season … Five Jaguars reached base on a hit by pitch … Patterson’s hit streak was snapped at 11 games … Tanner recorded his team-leading 12th multiple-RBI game of the season … DeBlieux tied a career high with three RBI … Crenshaw posted his sixth quality start of the season.