Wittels closes in on Ventura’s record as FIU falls to South Alabama

Jeremy Patton scored FIU's only run on a Yoandy Barroso RBI single against South Alabama. Photo: FIUSports.com.

Garrett Wittels’ NCAA leading hit streak is up to 49 games on the season after FIU’s opening round at the Sun Belt Conference Tournament May 26.

The sophomore is now nine games shy of tying Robin Ventura’s Division I NCAA record of 58-straight games with a hit.

News from Murfreesboro, Tenn., however, is a mixed bag: the Panthers (31-23) fell to the South Alabama Jaguars, 7-1, at the game.

“I thought that [the Jaguars] battled, scrapped and fought,” said FIU Head Coach Turtle Thomas. “I thought our pitcher, R.J. Fondon, really had good stuff and pitched a good game. He did a great job for seven innings and might have gotten a little tired at the end.”

Wittels’ latest accomplishment comes in the heels of being named SBC Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference May 25.

Outfielders Jabari Henry and Mike Martinez were named Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-Conference, respectively.