MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Florida International knocked off South Alabama 10-9 on Friday to eliminate the Jaguars from the Sun Belt Conference baseball tournament.
The Golden Panthers scored eight runs in the first four innings, and looked to have the game in hand until the Jaguars rallied for six runs in the top of the sixth inning to cut the FIU lead to 8-7.
South Alabama scored six in the sixth on RBI doubles by Zach Grichor and Brent Tanner, a two-run single by Jake Overstreet and fielder’s choice RBI by Clint Reynolds and Adam Heisler.
USA tied the game 8-8 in the top of the seventh inning when Adam Heisler grounded out to second to score Reynolds, who reached after being hit by a pitch.
FIU (33-23) answered with two runs in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single by Junior Arrojo and a sacrifice fly by Pablo Bermudez to take a 10-8 lead.
The Jags responded with a run in the top of the eighth inning when Taylor White singled to left-center field to score Overstreet, who reached on an error to lead off the inning.
In the top of the ninth and trailing by a run, Heisler delivered a one-out single to right field, but never advanced past first base.
Mike Martinez went 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBIs and a run scored to lead the Golden Panthers.
Junior Arrojo went 3-for-3 with two RBIs, one run scored and two stolen bases, and Rudy Flores added a home run and three RBIs.
Corey Polizzano (3-4) earned the win in 1Ò innings of relief, allowing three runs on four hits while issuing one walk. Right-hander Eric Berkowitz earned his ninth save of the season in two innings of relief, and allowed one run on two hits while striking out three with one walk.
Jaguar right-hander Shane LeBlanc (0-1) suffered the loss in 2Ò relief innings, and allowed one run on two hits and two walks.
USA seniors Heisler and Grichor went 2-for-6 with two RBIs to lead the Jaguars. Heisler added two runs and a stolen base, and Grichor added a double and one run scored. Overstreet finished with a hit, two RBIs and two runs scored, White added two hits, an RBI and a run, and Brent Tanner and Reynolds added an RBI apiece.
Garrett Wittels gave the Golden Panthers a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI single to left field, extending his NCAA-best hitting streak to 51 games.
USA (32-27) stranded 12 runners in the game, while FIU left eight runners on base.