Miami, Fla. (March 18, 2006)- Senior Michael Lopez and sophomores Danny Marquez and James McOwen each had three hits to pace a 17-hit attack in FIU's 9-2 win over Manhattan on Saturday afternoon.
Two of the three hits for Lopez were doubles as he became the all-time career leader at Florida International University with a fourth inning double.
The Jaspers got just four hits off FIU starter Eduardo Elias, who raised his record to 2-0 on the season. The senior right-hander went seven strong innings, walking two, striking five and allowing two runs (both earned) in the win. He handed the ball over to relievers Chris Siebenaler and Frank Gonzalez, who pitched an inning each of scoreless relief for the Golden Panthers to close out the contest.
Manhattan starter
Josh Santerre was the losing pitcher for the Jaspers. He falls to 0-2 on the season after giving up eight hits, five runs (all earned), walking one and striking out one.
The two teams exchanged runs in the first before the bats for the FIU offense got on track as they scored in every inning except for the fifth.
Manhattan managed to tie the contest at 2-2 in the top of the third before FIU plated three in its half to take a three-run advantage. RBI singles by Cadena and Yosvel Barroso sparked the attack.
Back-to-back singles in the sixth by Marquez and Pullin set the stage for the second double of the afternoon by Lopez. It is the sixth multi-double game in the career of Lopez and drove in a run for the sixth time in the last eight games to give him a share of the team lead with 22 RBI. After a two-out double by Barroso, Marquez picked up his third RBI of the afternoon with a single to put the Golden Panthers ahead by seven.
