MIAMI – FIU scored a combined 10 runs between the seventh and eighth innings to claim an 11-7 victory over ULM Sunday afternoon at the FIU Baseball Stadium.
In the bottom of the seventh, FIU (20-15, 8-7) sent nine batters to the plate and scored five runs on three hits in the inning. Tyler Hibbert was able to even the game at four as his two-RBI chop single through the right side plated T.J. Shantz and Roche Woodard. The Golden Panthers took its first lead of the game as Edwin Rios drove in a pair with a two-out, two-RBI single up the middle.
ULM (14-22, 4-11) threatened in the top of the eighth as Green ledoff with a single and Taylor Abdalla walked on four pitches. However, a fly out to left and a double play ended the Warhawk eighth.
FIU plated five more runs in the eighth to take an 11-4 lead after eight complete innings. The Golden Panther eighth was highlighted by Aramis Garcia's grand slam down the left field line. It was the first grand slam allowed by the Warhawks since April 1, 2012 when Jabari Henry connected on a grand slam to aid FIU in an 8-6 win over ULM.
Judd Edwards set the final tally at 11-7 as he connected on a three-run blast to left with two outs in the ninth.
ULM starter Carey Taylor earned a no decision despite a solid outing Sunday. Taylor pitched into the seventh inning as he scattered five hits while allowing one earned run (two total) with two walks and three punchouts. Reliever Tyler Bray (3-2) was tagged with loss after allowing three runs on one hit with two walks as he faced just three batters.
Green finished a triple shy of the cycle as he tallied three hits, two runs and one RBI. Edwards finished Sunday's game with two hits, three RBI and one run.
Reliever Mitchell Davis (5-2) earned the win after tossing a scoreless seventh inning. Alberto Cardenas earned his third save of the season. He gave up the three-run homer to Edwards for his first earned runs of the conference season. Edwin Rios led FIU with four hits and three RBI.
Corben Green got things started for the Warhawks as his one-out solo blast over the wall in right center gave the visitors a 1-0 lead after the top of the first.
FIU answered with an unearned run in the bottom of the frame as Zach Sweety scored on Edwin Rios RBI single through the left side to even things at one-all after one complete.
ULM scored a single run in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to take a 4-1 lead. Green ledoff the fourth with a double that fell along the left field line and later scored on Dalton Herrington's RBI double to the gap in left center.
In the fifth, Brandon Alexander singled to start the fifth and was able to cross home plate on Trent Lucas' bloop single to left. Kodie Tidwell was on the move on contact but was gunned down at home trying to score from second. In the sixth, Herrington connected on a solo blast, his third of the year, to give ULM a 4-1 advantage.
FIU scored the next 10 runs before Edwards concluded the scoring with a three-run homer over the wall in left.
ULM will return to the diamond Tuesday with a special Noon start time as it welcomes Tulane to Warhawk Field. The game will air on 1680AM in Monroe with the pregame show scheduled to begin approximately 15 minutes prior to first pitch.
