March 5, 2004

No. 11 Florida Atlantic University exploded for 13 runs in the second and fourth innings and FAU starter Randy Beam shut out Florida International through six innings as FAU went on to defeat the Golden Panthers 13-1 Friday night at FAU Stadium. FAU has outscored FIU 53-13 in the last four meetings.

FIU (6-11) starter Andrew Edwards (2-1) worked through the first inning without much trouble as leadoff hitter Derek Hutton was the only Florida Atlantic player to reach base with a hit. Edwards ran into a barrage of FAU offense as seven consecutive batters reached base and the home team posted five runs in the home half of the second.

Florida Atlantic (14-1) would bat around again in the fourth as the first five batters reached base before relief pitcher Luis Gazitua recorded the first out on an RBI groundout by left fielder Anthony Albano. Albano was one of four FAU hitters to finish the night with multiple RBI.

Suffering his only loss of the 2003 season to the Golden Panthers, Randy Beam (3-0) got revenge against FIU as he worked six innings and did not allow a run as he struck out two and allowed four hits. Andrew Tomlin entered in the seventh and gave up the only run of the game after a leadoff double by Yahmed Yema was followed by Jimmy Bacon and Luis Rivera singles to plate the only run of the game for the visiting team. Jason Costello closed out the ninth inning for FAU in his third appearance of the season.

"It was suprising this game ended up how it did," said head coach Kevin Cooney. But the pitching performance by Beam didn't surprise the 17 year FAU coach. "It was a typical Randy Beam performance. He came out and threw strikes and worked fast. Beam won't take himself out of a game."

Derek Hutton (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) finished the night three-for-four with three RBI. Jeff Fiorentino came out of his slump with his first two-hit game since February with two hits in four at bats and added three RBI to his season total

The two teams will meet for the 58th time on Saturday at 7 pm at University Park. Matt O'Brien (4-0) is expected to take the mound for FAU.

FAU Sports Information Release