THE RUNDOWN
DBU clinched a series win over FIU with a 5-2 victory in an 11-inning affair at FIU Baseball Stadium in Miami on Saturday. Knotted up at one apiece through seven innings, the Patriots produced a four-spot in the 11th to earn their 30th win of the season.
In game two of the series, DBU once again struck first on a home run in the second inning, this time a solo shot from Miguel Santos over the left field wall to take a 1-0 lead.
Senior Jaron DeBerry provided a quality start on Saturday afternoon for the Patriots. In 6.1 innings of work, DeBerry allowed just one run and a pair of walks while finishing one strikeout shy of matching a career-high with nine punchouts on the day.Â
The Panthers were able to even the game in the seventh on an RBI single to left field by pinch-hitter Hector Candelas. With two runners on base, FIU threatened to take the lead, but a perfectly executed double play induced by Nick Wilson allowed DBU to escape the inning.
With the game on the line in the bottom of the ninth, the Panthers loaded the bases with two outs, facing Conner Mackay on the mound. Nick Petelli laced a line drive into centerfield, but Nathan Humphreys kept the game alive with an incredible diving catch in center.
DBU loaded the bases in their half of the 11th via an error, single, and walk. With Tom Poole at the plate, the Patriots' left-handed slugger delivered a sacrifice fly to shallow right field that allowedÂ
Joey Nerat to slide in ahead of the tag at home to score the go-ahead run.Â
Next up, Santos drilled a single up the middle to bring home Michael Dattalo, giving the Patriots a 3-1 lead. Adding his signature exclamation mark, Chaton Krauss blasted a two-run triple to right field, making it a 5-1 ballgame going into the bottom of the 11th.
Chase Engelhard homered with two outs in the 11th, but Mackay sealed the deal with his third strikeout of the contest to give the Patriots the series win over FIU.
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Jaron DeBerry notched his third quality start of the year.
- DBU improved to 4-0 in extra games this season.
- The five runs allowed by DBU pitching are the fewest runs scored by FIU in back-to-back games in a series this season.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
30 -Â The Patriots picked up their 30th win of the season in just their 41st game, making it the third-fasted team to 30 wins in DBU's Division I era.
36Â -Â
Miguel Santos hit his 36th career home run to move into a tie withÂ
Grant Jay for the sixth-most home runs in program history.
10 -Â
Michael Dattalo matched his season-high with a 10-game hit streak.
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UP NEXTÂ
DBU goes for the sweep over FIU on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 11:05 a.m. (CST) at FIU Baseball Stadium.
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