Baseball Suffers First Defeat to Florida International :: Danny Core struck out ten in loss

Feb. 12, 2003

Josh Banks (1-0) pitched eight innings of shutout baseball for Florida International University as the No. 25 Golden Panthers defeated No. 21 Florida Atlantic University 4-0 in a 2:10 minute pitching dual. Banks struck out nine batters while his counter part, Danny Core, struck out 10 in seven innings of work.

Only one hit was needed for FIU's victory. Skipton Adams hit a home run in the second inning to give Florida International (7-1) the early lead while Banks shut down the FAU offense holding them to two hits. Both hits came in the first and second inning for Florida Atlantic (5-1). Jeff Fiorentino (Hollywood, FL) reached on a single in the first and Matt Pali (Houston, TX) reached second on a double down the right field line in the second. Banks did not allow another FAU batter to reach base except for one lone walk to Derek Hutton (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) in the sixth.

FIU scored two runs in the seventh after a controversial call at the plate. The umpires discussed what might have been the final out as a single to left field by Luis Rivera gave Skipton Adams the chance to advance to home from second. Pali made a dead on throw to Robert Orton at home plate that arrived before Skipton had a chance to slide. With Orton clearly in the base path, Adams' slide was questionable as he touched home and saw the ball squirt away from Orton's mitt. The umpire at the plate called the runner out for the final out of the inning but the umpires conversed over the situation and Adams' was eventually rewarded home. Rivera would score on the next play as Dennis Diaz singled to the right side.

Core will have to wait to tie the school record for career wins as he fell to 1-1 with the seven-inning appearance. James Callahan and Chris Della Rocco both saw time out of the pen for FAU and recorded two strikeouts each.

Florida Atlantic University will return to FAU Stadium for a three-game series against Eastern Michigan University on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Eagles are 0-3 this season after suffering a series sweep at the hands of Florida International University last weekend.