Baseball crushes University of Miami in Coral Gables


FIU pitcher Robert Garcia struck out a career-high nine batters to get his first collegiate win.

 

By Joel Delgado ’12 MS ’17 

It’s been nine years since FIU and the University of Miami squared off on the baseball diamond during the regular season.

That stretch ended Tuesday night at Mark Light Field in Coral Gables — and for the Panthers, the wait may have made the result even sweeter.

The Panthers (6-6) defeated the Hurricanes 12-1 in the first of four scheduled meetings between the two schools during the 2017 season. It was the largest margin of victory for FIU over Miami since 2001.

FIU starting pitcher Robert Garcia pitched a gem, allowing just one hit and striking out a career-high nine hitters in seven innings pitched for the Panthers.

In the eighth inning with a 5-0 lead, the Panthers offense exploded for seven runs — including a two-run home run by infielder Eddie Silva — to turn a comfortable lead into an insurmountable one.

The Panthers and Hurricanes will face each other again tonight, March 9, at FIU Baseball Stadium with a first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m.

For more information on the game and FIU baseball, go to FIUSports.com