Late Rally Lifts Florida International Past Cardinals, Again
July 13, 2000 | Baseball
February 19, 2000
MIAMI - It was deja vu all over again as No. 25 Florida International scored five runs in the final two innings to defeat Louisville 6-5 Saturday afternoon in Miami. In Friday night's game, FIU (11-0) scored five runs in the eighth to rally for a 7-6 victory.
The Cardinals (0-3) jumped out on top with a pair of runs in the second inning on a bases loaded single to center field by Mike Hook that scored both runs. FIU scored a run in the bottom of the second to cut the Cardinals' lead to one.
Louisville took advantage of an FIU error to plate three more in the sixth. Curtis Sapp reached first on a two-out throwing error by the shortstop, enabling Matt Jarboe to score. Paul Brown followed with a double to left center that scored two more to put U of L up 5-1.
In the eighth, FIU scored three runs to pull within one at 5-4. Cardinal starter Brian Bentley gave up a run on back-to-back hits to start the inning before being relieved by Antonio Castellvi. The Golden Panthers came up with two more on a pair of wild pitches and a home run by Raul Pujol. U of L again went to the bullpen, this time calling on Denny Williams, who came in and retired the first two batters he faced to get out of the inning.
After a scoreless top half of the ninth, the Cardinals needed just three more outs to get their first win of the season and hand FIU its first loss. FIU's Gustavo Alfonso led off the ninth with a walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and went to third on a ground out to second.
With two outs, Barry Paulk singled to left to score the tying run and then stole second to put himself in scoring position. Eric Miller hit a bouncer up the middle that was just past the reach of U of L shortstop Adam Haley to plate the game-winner to give FIU its second late inning comeback in two days.
Hook, Jarboe and Scott Kohler each had two hits to lead U of L, but the Cards left 10 runners on base for the game. Bentley, who needs just one win to become the all-time leader in Cardinal history, gave up just five hits and three runs in seven innings. Williams (0-1) took the loss.
Paulk led FIU with three hits, two runs and two stolen bases. Steve Jimenez, Jr. (1-0), pitched two innings of relief to pick up the win.
Louisville and FIU (10-0) complete their three-game series at 1:00 Sunday in Miami.
