FIU Panthers Prowl

FIU heads to UNC as No. 2 seed, plays James Madison on Friday

FIU was selected as a No. 2 seed in the NCAA baseball tournament and will travel to the University of North Carolina to face James Madison on Friday at 1 p.m.

The Panthers are making their 10^th appearance in the tournament and their first back-to-back showing since 2002.

“We are excited about being in a regional again,” FIU shortstop Garrett Wittels said. “Hopefully we can keep playing good baseball. In my mind we have been one of the hottest teams in college baseball.”

The Panthers, who lost in the Sun Belt Conference final 7-6 to UALR on Sunday, are ranked No. 20 in the Baseball America top 25 and have won 21 of their last 25 24 games, including a tie.

FIU (40-18-1) will use junior lefty Phil Haig against James Madison. Haig is 9-3 this season, with a 3.27 ERA, 69 strikeouts in 93.2 innings pitched.

On the other side of the bracket, host North Carolina (No. 1 seed in the region and No. 3 overall) plays Maine.

Justin

NCAA baseball sites announced

The NCAA Division I Baseball Committee announced the 16 host sites for the baseball championship. The Panthers will have to wait till tomorrow to find out where they will be heading during the selection show on ESPN at 12:30 p.m.

Atlanta - Georgia Tech (40-19)

Austin, Texas - Texas (43-15)

Fullerton, Calif. - Cal State Fullerton (39-15)

Chapel Hill, N.C. - North Carolina (45-14)

Clemson, South Carolina - Clemson (41-18)

Charlottesville, Virginia - Virginia (48-9)

College Station, Texas - Texas A&M (41-18)

Columbia, South Carolina - South Carolina (45-14)

Corvallis, Oregon - Oregon State (38-16)

Fort Worth, Texas - TCU (42-17)

Gainesville, Fla. - Florida (44-16)

Houston - Rice (41-39)

Los Angeles - UCLA (33-21)

Nashville, Tenn. - Vanderbilt (47-9)

Tallahassee, Fla. - Florida State (42-16)

Tempe, Arizona - Arizona State (38-16)

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FIU to face UALR in SBC title game

The Panthers (39-17-1) advanced to the Sun Belt Conference championship game against UALR Sunday at 2 p.m. The game can be seen on CSS (channel 63 on Comcast). 

FIU made easy work of South Alabama on Friday, beating the Warhawks 11-0. Miami Herald special correspondent Tabby Soignier has the game report here.

FIU still has to face Louisiana tonight at 8 p.m. but regardless of the outcome FIU still plays in the title game.

News and notes | FIU baseball

The Golden Panthers (37-17-1, 20-9-1 SBC) moved up to No. 22 in the Baseball America Top 25 Poll. The Panthers jumped two spots from No. 24.

USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll: FIU received nine votes but is not ranked.

NCAA RPI: FIU is ranked 32 up from 34.

NCBWA (National College Baseball Writers Association: FIU received votes but are not ranked.

Conference Tournament

The Panthers, fresh-off a series win versus rival FAU, take on Arkansas State on Wednesday in the first-round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in Louisiana. The Panthers, who have won 18 out of their last 20 games, tied 8-8 with Arkansas State the last time the two teams meet earlier this month.

Tweets

 I posted a few tweets below from FIU players and the SBC:

@The_Sun_Belt Sun Belt Conference

Not too late to get tickets for 2011 Sun Belt Conference Baseball Championship hosted by @ULMWarhawks. Games begin Wed! http://bit.ly/iQuX3o

@FIUAthletics FIU Athletics

FIU Earns No. 2 Seed in Conference Tournament: FIU will face No. 7 seed Arkansas St. at 3 p.m. CT on Wednesday. http://bit.ly/mM0EN8

@pboogie012 Pablo Bermudez

by FIUAthletics

Tourney time flying out of miami now....moving up # 22 in the latest rankings

@TurtleThomasFIU Turtle Thomas

Off to Monroe. Ready for some peach cobbler.

@PlayPatt_22 Jeremy Patton

About to pass out on this plane. On our way to #funroe

Justin

FAU-FIU Game 1 LIVE BLOG

Starters: FAU's Ryan Garton (5-3, 4.33) vs. FIU's Phil Haig (8-3, 3.50).

First pitch is 7 p.m.

 

Arkansas State-FIU Game 2 LIVE BLOG

FIU vies for its 15th-straight win against the Red Wolves, whom the Panthers defeated 3-2 in Game 1 Friday.

On the mound -- ASU: Brad Allen (2-4, 5.58) vs. FIU: R.J. Fondon (4-4, 3.11).

First pitch is 6 p.m.

 

Bermudez named SBC player of the week

FIU outfielder Pablo Bermudez was named Sun Belt Conference Player of the week on Monday. Bermudez batted .526, with six runs, six RBI and two home runs in the Panthers' three-game sweep of MTSU this past weekend.

The Panthers, riding atop a 12 game-winning streak, next face Stetson Wednesday on the road.

Justin

FIU sweeps MTSU, wins 12th straight

The FIU baseball team completed a three-game sweep of Middle Tennessee State University on Sunday. The Panthers beat MTSU 9-5 to win their 12th consecutive contest. Right fielder Yoandy Barroso led the FIU offense going 2 for 4 with four RBI. Designated hitter Rudy Flores was 2 for 4 with three RBI. Starting pitcher Kyle Fitzpatrick pitched 4.2 innings giving up six hits and four runs. Mason McVay (1-1) recorded the win.

FIU has seven games remaining before the Sun Belt Conference tournament in late May. The Panthers next take on Stetson on the road on Tuesday.

Justin Azpiazu

Follow me on Twitter @JustinAzpiazu

FIU-FGCU baseball

Riding atop an eight-game winning streak, FIU takes on Florida Gulf Coast University at home tonight. Not really doing a traditional live blog but I was planning on giving some updates and any developments.

Live blog

FIU leads it 5-0 in the top of the third inning. FIU starter Logan Dodds has pitched well, giving up only two hits through three full innings.

The Panthers (28-16) took a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after T.J. Shantz hit a two-out grand slam.

Eagles get three runs in the top of the fourth. FGCU's Zach Maxfield hit a towering shot to left field for the Eagles' first run of the game. With the bases loaded, the Eagles scored two more runs after an error on the FIU defense.

 Fourth inning

Yoandy Barroso hits homer to left field.

Panthers have scored three runs this inning and still have not recorded an out.

Panthers eventually scored eight runs in the fourth inning. Game is 14-4 FIU.

Justin

Odds and ends from FIU Baseball

Couple of quick hitters ...

First, FIU's home game against Florida Memorial Tuesday has been scrapped in favor of a May 11 date with Stetson. For the Panthers' postseason hopes, this is huge, considering FlaMo isn't a D-I school, while Stetson (29-7, RPI of  21), is a likely Regional team.

Also, here's the game story from Sunday's 11-5 victory over ULL.

Finally, when we hear any news from Garrett Wittels' preliminary hearing over in the Bahamas, we'll pass along the update.

ULL-FIU Game 3 -- Live Blog

Time for the rubber match between the Panthers and Cajuns here at FIU Baseball Stadium, where first pitch has been moved up to noon to dodge the pending lightning bolts.

FIU's Daniel DeSimone (4-2, 3.58) faces off against Louisiana's T.J. Geith (3-2, 4.42).

Follow along here or on Twitter @AdamHBeasley.

 

FIU-Louisiana-Lafayette Live Blog

Back at FIU Baseball Stadium as the Golden Panthers (20-15, 5-7 Sun Belt) host Louisiana-Lafayette (19-14, 7-5) in a crucial three-game set.

Phil Haig (4-2, 4.10 ERA) takes the mound for FIU, facing ULL's Taylor Hubbell (3-3, 3,40). First pitch is 7 p.m.

Follow along here on on Twitter @AdamHBeasley.

 

Countdown to basketball signing day, D. Harris expected to sign

Putting together a run down of possible FIU recruits. Signing day starts tomorrow and runs through May 18.

Curtis Davis, SG, 5-11, 160LB, Woodrow Wilson, TX- NOT EXPECTED TO SIGN

According to his coach at Woodrow Wilson, Davis is picking between Florida State and George Washington.

Tanner Wozniak, SG, 6-4, 185LB, Keswick Christian, FL - CONFIRMED HE WILL SIGN WITH FIU

SG/PG Wozniak confirmed to me this afternoon that he will indeed be signing with FIU sometime this week. "I'm going to sign with them tomorrow or Thursday," he said.

Wozniak points to coach Thomas as being one of his main reasons for picking FIU.

"I think he is going to lead us," he said. "He knows basketball. He’s going to help me get to the next level." Wozniak said the Panthers have been interested in his services since he was sophomore.

Darnell Harris - EXPECTED TO SIGN

According to Christian Life Center Academy coach Carlos Wilson, "FIU is still the place for [Harris] to be," he said. "Yes, he's committed to FIU and is trying to get is academics in order."

Wilson went on to say that Harris has been working very hard in the classroom and has improved academically.

CLCA will have a signing ceremony tomorrow morning at 9:15 am (EST).

Chris Coleman, Christian Life Center Academy, TX. - STATUS UNKNOWN

Wilson said Coleman has not been at CLCA since the summer and is not sure where he will end up.

"I don't know the situation as well as Chris is concerned," he said.

Joe de la Rosa, C, 6-210, 200LB, Montverde Academy, FL - EXPECTED TO SIGN

Add de la Rosa's name to the list of players expected to sign with the Panthers. According to Monteverde assistant coach Alton Clark, "Joe is really focused on becoming part of the FIU family," he said.

Clark expects de la Rosa to sign with the Panthers tomorrow. Clark also said de la Rosa has been working to get his academics in order. Monteverde will not have a signing day ceremony.

Yvan Ngirabakunzi, C, 6-9, 205LB, The Piney Woods School, MS. -STATUS UNKNOWN

I had a chance to catch up with Piney Woods coach Lemuel Jones this morning. Jones is not sure where Ngirabakunzi is going to end up.

"We haven't sat down and talked about it anymore," Jones said. "[He's] not going to sign on the first day."

Piney Woods is not planning on having a signing day ceremony tomorrow. According to Rivals.com, Ngirabakunzi is projected to pick between Marquette, Arkansas and Tulane and Miami. Ngirabakunzi had previously committed to the Hurricanes but withdrew his verbal commitment some time ago.

Austin Keel, SG, 6-3, 190LB, Winter Springs - VERBALLY COMMITMENT TO CENTRAL MICH.

Verbally committed to Central Michigan on March 26, 2011.

SIGNING DAY TV INFO

ESPN will air a live signing day special on ESPN3.com from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. and on ESPNU from 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

RECRUITING PROJECTIONS

ESPN lists 5 players as potential signees:

UPDATED ABOVE - Darnell Harris, SF, 6-8, 210LB Christian Life Center Academy, TX. - EXPECTED TO SIGN 

Chris Coleman, C, 6-10, 270LB, Christian Life Center Academy, TX. - STATUS UNKNOWN

Joe de la Rosa, C, 6-210, 200LB, Montverde Academy, FL - EXPECTED TO SIGN

Yvan Ngirabakunzi, C, 6-9, 205LB, The Piney Woods School, MS. -STATUS UNKNOWN

Tanner Wozniak, SG, 6-4, 185LB, Keswick Christian, FL - EXPECTED TO SIGN

ScoutFIU.com lists 5 also with a couple exceptions

Austin Keel, SG, 6-3, 190LB, Winter Springs - VERBALLY COMMITMENT TO CENTRAL MICH.

Curtis Davis, SG, 5-11, 160LB, Woodrow Wilson, TX -STATUS UNKNOWN

Like ESPN, Scout has both Harris and Wozniak listed a verbal commitments. They do not list Coleman.

As was discussed on GPP a few months ago, Scout has Miami LaSalle's Jonathan Holton has a commitment but Holton signed with Rhode Island.

Pantherrage (Rivals.com) lists 4 players

Myron Dempsey, PF, 6-5, 220LB, El Reno, OK.

Coleman, Harris and Wozniak

WORK IN PROGRESS

Still waiting to hear back from Dempsey. Check back soon.

Justin

Follow me on Twitter @JustinAzpiazu

Big weekend for FIU baseball

If the Golden Panthers ultimately make the NCAA Regionals for the second straight year -- and this time, as an at-large -- this might be the weekend that turned the tide.

As it currently stands, FIU would likely be on the outside looking in, should the season end today. The Panthers currently stand at 19-13 (including a win against non-Division I opponent St. Thomas), with an RPI of 45. FIU is 8-11 against RPI Top 100 teams, but just 2-6 against those in the Top 50.

In short, the Panthers need a few signature wins.

Enter the Troy Trojans, who clearly have been the class of the Sun Belt in 2011.

Troy (22-5) is ranked No. 22 in the latest CBN poll, ahead of traditional powers Rice and LSU, and has an RPI also of 22. Short of a late-season swoon, the Trojans are Regional-bound.

But, so might the Panthers, should they win at least two games in Alabama this weekend. After an 11-2 start, FIU has lost 11 of its last 18 games, and hasn't been able to string together more than three wins in succession.

A major reason: The Panthers just haven't been hitting like they did last year. FIU's team batting average is .295 and the team averages 6.1 runs per game -- solid, no doubt, but off last year's marks of .336 and 7.9.

The going gets no easier this weekend, as FIU faces a Troy pitching staff with a team 2.83 ERA, led by Tyler Ray (6-0, 1.45).

Game-time for tonight's opener is 7 p.m. You can listen live here.

Bethune-Cookman vs. FIU Live Blog -- Game 1

Behar, DeSimone nab weekly Sun Belt honors

FIU’s Jose Behar and Danny DeSimone captured the Sun Belt’s player and pitcher of the week honors after the Golden Panthers won three of four games in their Louisiana swing.

Behar hit .375 with two home runs and 5 RBI last week, as FIU beat Tulane and took two out of three from Louisiana-Monroe.

On Sunday, DeSimone scattered seven hits in a complete-game shutout of ULM, lowering his season ERA to 3.32.

The Panthers (18-12) return home Tuesday for a two-game series against Bethune-Cookman before traveling to conference-leading Troy this weekend.

First pitch Tuesday is 6 p.m. Live blog will begin at 5:50.

Baseball update | March 24, 2011

Fresh off a 14-8 win over North Florida, the FIU baseball team heads into a weekend showdown, hosting Sun Belt Conference leading Western Kentucky Friday at 7 p.m.

The Panthers (14-9) scored 14 runs, including a season-high four home runs against the Ospreys on Wednesday. FIU stating pitcher Kyle Fitzpatrick (2-1) recorded the win, striking out six in five innings of work.

It was the first win for Fitzpatrick since pitching a no-hitter on March 2.

Lefty Phil Haig (3-0, 4.40 ERA) gets the start for the Panthers on Friday. Haig struggled in his last outing, giving up five runs on seven hits in 6.1 innings pitched to rival FAU.

The Hilltoppers, riding a six-game winning streak onto SW 8 st., will counter with lefty Tanner Perkins (4-1, 2.43 ERA). Perkins has been the Hilltoppers' ace this season, recording 28 strike outs and surrendering four walks in 33.1 innings pitched.

Justin

Panthers fall at North Florida

The Panthers' baseball team fell 6-3 at North Florida on Tuesday. The Panthers (13-9) trailed the entire game after starting pitcher Michael Ellis (0-1) struggled giving up five runs in 2.2 innings of work.

Down 5-0 to start the sixth innings, the Panthers briefly rallied behind a three-run home run by catcher Jose Behar.

After starting the season winning 10 of their first 12 games, the Panthers have hit a rough patch losing 7 of their last 10 contests.

The Panthers face will North Florida again on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Boxscore

Justin

Panthers defeat Aggies 2-1 in extra innings

The FIU baseball team defeated No. 14 Texas A&M 2-1 Saturday afternoon in College Station, Texas. The Panthers' Bryam Garcia closed out the game, striking out the Aggies' Matt Juengel in the bottom of the 10th inning.

FIU, who last beat Texas A&M in 1995, took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the eighth inning behind starting pitcher R.J. Fondon. Fondon pitched 7 1/3 innings, striking out seven and giving up six hits.

The Aggies countered with Michael Wacha, who pitched seven innings, giving up three hits and a run. Wacha raised his ERA to a minuscule 0.67 in 27 innings of work.

FIU will play the final game of the series, Sunday at 2:05 p.m. The Panthers' Danny DeSimone (2-1, 2.45 ERA) will face the Aggies' Dylan Mendoza (2-0, 0.64 ERA).

Justin

Panthers fall in extra innings

FIU nearly knocked off No. 14 Texas A&M Friday night losing 6-5 in extra innings. The Panthers (11-4) had an early 2-0 lead off Aggies' starting pitcher John Stilson. Stilson ran into trouble early, falling 2-0  in the top of first inning when designated hitter Mike Martinez hit a line-drive to center field scoring Jeremy Patton and Garrett Wittels.

Stilson, who had a combined 28 strike outs in his first three outings, gave up a season-high four runs to FIU. FIU starter Phil Haig gave up five runs in six innings of work, striking out four and surrendering two walks.

The Aggies bounced back in the bottom of the first inning, tying the game. Texas A&M would go on to take a 4-2 lead in the home-half of the third inning when Jacob House scored Matt Juengel from third base on a ground out.

FIU rallied to tie the game in the top of fifth, when Patton hit a two-run home run off Stilson. The Aggies would once again retake the lead in the bottom of the fifth when Mark House hit a home run to make the score 5-4.

Wittles, leading the team with 17 RBI, tied the game in the seventh, plating Pablo Bermudez after hitting the ball down the right-field line.

The game remained tied 5-5 going into the home-half of the 10th inning when short stop Kenny Jackson singled in the winning run off FIU's Aaron Arboleya (1-1). Boxscore

FIU will play the second-game of the three-game series Saturday at 3:05 p.m. The Panthers' R.J. Fondon (1-1, 5.23 ERA) takes on the Aggies' Michael Wacha (2-1, 0.45 ERA).

Justin