March 13, 2002

Box Score

MIAMI, Fla. - The Miami University (7-2) baseball team saw its six-game winning streak end this evening at University Park as Florida International handed the RedHawks a 7-2 defeat. Junior George Stegmiller was the only Red and White ball player to record multiple hits, going two-for-three with one ribbie.

Florida International roughed up Miami hurler Justin Farina early in the contest with a five-run, three-hit first frame. The RedHawk southpaw started by walking FIU's leadoff batter Alex Ansoleaga. Adam Summerell followed with a single to right field, and then Bernard Gonzalex loaded the bases when he was the first of three Golden Panthers hit by Farina. FIU's next batter, Brad Eldred, also was hit by a pitch to force in the games first run. One batter later Hector Nunez hit a sacrifice fly to right field to up the Golden Panthers lead to 2-0. One single, one passed ball and one would-be triple, if not for an excellent RedHawk relay, later the FIU squad was quickly on top 5-0.

Farina settled into a groove after the first inning, striking out one batter and allowing just one run and three hits over the next five innings. The only run was scored on him when Eldred connected for a solo shot to left field, which cleared FIU's scoreboard standing 20-feet tall. In fact, Farina responded by retiring the next 12 Golden Panther batters after Eldred's dinger.

Miami put together its rally in the fifth inning when freshman John Slone legged out an infield single to the shortstop with one out. Slone's classmate and designated hitter, Tyler Tabler, moved him to second base with a single up the middle. Junior Andi Scheidt knocked a single to left field to score Slone for the RedHawks first run, cutting the deficit to 6-1. One batter later Tabler crossed the plate registering Miami's second run when Stegmiller recorded his seventh RBI of the season. FIU escaped the inning allowing just the two runs, but the lead was now 6-2 with four innings remaining.

An eighth inning rally almost happened for Miami when junior David Cook and sophomore Josh Widlansky hit back-to-back singles with one out to set up a first and second situation for junior slugger Mike Galloway. Galloway kept the inning alive with a weak single to left field, which juiced the bases for junior Michael Carlin. FIU countered with a strategic pitching change and escaped unharmed.

The Golden Panthers added an insurance run in the eighth inning en route to the 7-2 victory. Carlos Sanchez, who is battling for a starting role, recorded his first victory of the season pitching 7.1 innings while striking out five RedHawks. In the setback, Farina fanned two FIU batters in six innings of work. Junior Shawn Landis pitched a fine seventh inning for Miami, getting out of a bases loaded jam with two K's and no runs.

Miami falls to 7-2 on the season and faces a marathon day tomorrow, Thursday, March 14. The RedHawks face Wagner at 10 a.m., then rest during the afternoon before facing Kansas State on the diamond at 7 p.m.

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