Panthers Score Late Runs in 7th, Taking Game 1 Over LA Tech

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MIAMI, FL – Preston Prince got the start for FIU today against Louisiana Tech, and he was able to keep his team in the game. The Bulldogs pushed back after FIU received run support to briefly take the lead.

Then, the Panthers were able to plate in some late runs in the seventh, scoring a total of four times. Tyrus Riley was able to control the tempo in the end as the Panthers took the game over LA Tech, 7-4.

Preston Prince Strikes Out Six

Preston Prince had his best outing of the season today. His command improved from his previous outing, and he allowed fewer runs. LA Tech scored one in the third on a Colton Coates single and another in the fifth on a Colby Lunsford double.

Prince matched his season high of five innings, allowing four hits, two runs, and four walks while striking out six hitters. He threw a total of 96 pitches, posting 55 strikes.

the PRINCE up to five Ks 😎 pic.twitter.com/m2QpjKkwaE

— FIU Baseball (@FIUBaseball) April 2, 2026

He did a great job of limiting the Bulldogs’ chances. They went 1-for-7 with two outs, and 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position when he was on the mound.

Panthers Score a Pair of Early Runs

After starting the season on a 12-game hitting streak, Andrew Ildefonso cooled off a bit at the plate, with hits in just two of his last seven games.

On the second pitch he saw, Ildefonso wasted no time and hit a leadoff home run for the Panthers, his third of the season, and first in over a month.

Bot 1st
Louisiana Tech 0 | FIU 1

Andrew Ildefonso gets the Panthers started with a leadoff home run#FIU #Panthers #PawsUp https://t.co/EWe38tf6Ks

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) April 2, 2026

In the third, the Panthers retook the lead 2-1 after a Samuel Fischer single scored Ildefonso.

Panthers Score Late Go-Ahead Runs

Down by a couple of runs, FIU went back to work in the seventh inning. Following Marc Hersh’s double and him advancing to third on a wild pitch, he was able to score after Trey Freeman hit an infield single.

Bot 7th
Louisiana Tech 4 | FIU 3

Trey Freeman singles to the shortstop, who was unable to make an efficient throw on time. Panthers are within a run.#FIU #Panthers #PawsUp https://t.co/Zxe4WPsYbr

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) April 3, 2026

Moments later, with Cooper Rasmussen at second and Cole Cleveland at first, both were able to score, putting the Panthers ahead 5-4. Fischer drove them in after hitting a double off the tip of his bat into right field. The hit went down the left field line, buying time for the runners to score.

A Mario Trivella base hit provided the Panthers with an extra insurance run in the inning, making it 6-4. Cooper Rasmussen provided the Panthers with their final run of the game after he hit a sharp single into right field.

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Louisiana Tech 4 | FIU 7@coop_rasmussen gets in the hit column with an RBI single#FIU #Panthers #PawsUp https://t.co/1MyGW9bmAt

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) April 3, 2026

Tyrus Riley Earns the Win

Tyrus Riley got to toss the game’s final four innings, a season high. After getting through the sixth, he got into trouble in the seventh, surrendering two runs. However, with sufficient run support, he was able to deliver scoreless innings in the eighth and ninth.

Riley allowed four hits, two runs, and two walks on five strikeouts, a season high as well. He bumped his record to 2-0. For the Panthers, it was great to only use two pitchers in the game.

Hitting Stats

FIU totaled 11 hits, with Ildefonso, Fischer, and Aidan Cohall each having two apiece. Fischer has two consecutive multi-hit games, while Cohall added on with his team-leading 15th double. Rasmussen is now on a 15-game on-base streak. Marc Hersh got on base twice with a double and a hit by pitch. Cleveland reached base twice as well with a single and a hit by pitch.

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