MIAMI, Fla. — FIU exploded for seven runs in the fourth en route to an 11-6 victory against UTSA on Saturday.
The Roadrunners (17-14, 6-5 C-USA) struggled to find their stride after the fourth inning, but they scored late by combining for three runs in the eighth and ninth frames.
UTSA hit three home runs, including Jesse Baker's seventh of the season, a two-run shot in the ninth.
The Roadrunners took an early 3-0 lead after Trent Bowles and Kevin Markham hit back-to-back homers in the third.
Bowles went yard and brought home Geonte Jackson for the first long ball of his career, while Markham blasted a solo shot to right field for his fourth of the year.
FIU (14-17, 6-5 C-USA) scored two in the home half of the third, but after its seven-run fourth, the Panthers never looked back.
FIU added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings.
Andres Nunez earned the win for the Panthers after working 7.2 innings and matching a career best with nine strikeouts. Nunez gave up four runs on six hits and walked three.
Meanwhile, Aaron Burns was charged with the loss as he worked four innings. Burns gave up a season-high 10 hits, nine runs (one earned) and two walks.
Markham and Straub each had two hits for the Roadrunners.
Sundy's series finale is slated for 12 p.m. (CT).