The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Florida International
UAB Baseball Trumped by FIU in Home Finale
5/15/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB baseball team was defeated, 11-4, Saturday afternoon by FIU at Young Memorial Field. The loss completed a three-game sweep for the Panthers.
Despite a late-inning surge by the Blazers’ offense, it was not enough to overcome an early barrage of FIU runs. A four-run eighth inning saw Evan Peterson double home one run, and a Griffin Gum three-run homer capped off the scoring.
UAB starting pitcher Stephen Baggett (0-3) threw 2.1 innings, but received the loss after allowing three FIU runs in the first. Fellow left-hander Thomas Lowery was fantastic in four innings of work, keeping the Panthers in check until the sixth.
After going ahead 5-0 with two more runs in the sixth, FIU plated six runs in the seventh and eighth between relievers Lowery, Garrett Whitlock and Luke Eigsti. Lefty Josh Floyd kept the visitors scoreless through the final two innings, giving up just two hits.
FIU starter Andres Nunez (4-3) picked up the win following a five-inning, two-hit outing. The opposing pitching staff was able to keep the Blazers off the board until the three-hit eighth. Reliever Willy Fabra was responsible for all four runs and gave up a walk.
In total, the Blazers recorded six hits. Gum finished the day 2-for-4 with three RBIs, and fellow seniors Jacob Armstrong and Evan Peterson each collected a hit. Blake Johnson and Riley McCown both singled, as well.
The Blazers return to action Tuesday, May 17 at Auburn as they take on the Tigers in the season’s final non-conference matchup. The team heads to Charlotte, N.C., following the midweek contest to take on the 49ers in a C-USA three-game series. The final league set begins Thursday.
For more information on the UAB baseball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_Baseball). For more on all Blazer sports teams, follow the official social media accounts of UAB Athletics on Twitter (@UABAthletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uabathletics) or on Snapchat (@uabathletics).
