Florida International scored eight runs in the fifth inning thanks to nine-straight hits – all with two outs – as the host Panthers earned an 11-6 win over the visiting Illinois State baseball team Wednesday at FIU Baseball Stadium.
Jean Ramirez staked Illinois State to a 5-1 lead with a three-run home run in the third inning, but the Panthers cut the Redbird lead in half in the bottom of the inning before taking the lead for good in the eight-run fifth.
Ryan Hutchinson reached base three times for Illinois State, on two singles and a walk.
Ramirez tallied two hits in the loss. Owen Miller reached twice on a hit and a walk.
Illinois State starter Mitch Weis allowed three runs on six hits and two walks over the first three innings. Weis struck out four.
The Redbirds have the day off Friday, before finishing their Florida trip back at the Snowbird Classic, in Port Charlotte, on Friday and Saturday. Illinois State will first play Western Michigan at 11 a.m. Friday. The Redbirds will then play both Central Michigan, at 11 a.m., and Butler, at 2:30 p.m., on Saturday, in Illinois State's only scheduled doubleheader this season.
