After being swept by Rutgers in a double-header, the Golden Panthers looked to bounce back on Sunday afternoon. I spoke with FIU pitcher Jorge Marban on how the team is going to recover from a very disappointing double header. Marban told me “coach told us to flush it away” and to “forget about yesterday.” Coach Turtle was right, it’s a sunny Sunday afternoon and what happen last night is done with but for the Golden Panthers to fall again it just didn’t make sense. The Golden Panthers started the game strong by scoring two runs in the first inning and in the 4th inning Michael Vargas hit a solo home run to increase their lead. After that it became a back-and-forth scoring game. The Scarlet Knights regained the lead after having a three run inning, but the Golden Panthers would counter by regaining the lead at the bottom half of the inning. The Golden Panthers had their chances to pull away not only on Sunday’s game but throughout the series. The series against the Scarlet Knights was not a pitcher’s duel, it was an offensive show. The pitchers had a rough time containing the hitters as they had their way with each pitcher. The Golden Panthers hot streak is officially over with their amazing start of the season. The Panthers have lost three straight games against a team that didn’t have an impressive record and only having one home game. The Panthers now at 9-6 after starting off 7-0; you should never take an opponent lightly just because of their record. The record is just a small aspect of the team; any team can come in and just pound any team to the ground. The Scarlet Knights are now riding a four game winning streak as they put the Panthers in a three game losing streak. The Panthers will finally get some rest after three very draining games, before going on the road and playing against Florida Gulf Coast University. The weekend series is done with, they have to forget about it and focus on their next opponent and if they stay in the past it’s going to be a long season.

The FIU Golden Panthers look to get back on the winning end after splitting the two game series with Boston College on Saturday against the Scarlet Knights. The Scarlet Knights came into Miami with a very poor record of 2-8 mainly due to the fact that a majority of the Scarlet Knights games have been away from home. The Golden Panthers were not able to capitalize on a team that has been struggling, they were swept both games and the pitchers from both teams found it difficult the keep the balls inside the park. After the 20-11 defeat of the first game, I was able to speak to FIU Senior Junior Arrojo before the start of the second game on how to bounce back from a difficult game and he said you got to be “strong enough” to overcome these games and also that you “play enough games” to understand that at times you will get your “butt kicked.” At the same time I was able to get the opposition’s point of view when I spoke to Scarlet Knights Freshman pitcher Dan O’Neil on how to keep focus on a very impressive win. O’Neil said “to just stay level headed because the game of baseball can humble you.” And that is exactly what the Scarlet Knights did, as they jumped on FIU’s starting pitcher Corey Polizzano and defeated the Golden Panthers for the second time 11-8. It all fell apart in the 4th inning where the Scarlet Knights pounded the Golden Panthers for 6 runs including back-to-back homeruns. The Golden Panthers answered back with a bases loaded bottom of the 4th inning and their best hitter up to bat, Henry hit the ball so hard and it was certain that he was going to clear the bases but Right Fielder Ryan Capp had an amazing catch, as he extended full body and caught the ball, thus ending the inning. But in a game where you have 5 errors it becomes very difficult to win. The Golden Panthers cannot depend on one player to win every game for them; they need a complete team effort from the pitching to the defense. The Golden Panthers have lost 3 of the last 4 games and to look forward to bouncing back on the series finally on Sunday.

The FIU men’s baseball has started off the season with incredible promise. The Golden Panthers mixed in good pitching, hitting and a some come from behind victories. The Golden Panthers have swept both Maryland and Oral Roberts to begin their season and outscored them 56 to 22. However, I’m not saying that each game was an easy win. FIU was definitely challenged when playing at home against Oral Roberts . Everyone loves a close game, a down-to-the-wire, make or break it game; and those are games that separate the good teams from the great and that is what the Panthers did. They defeated Oral Roberts in back to back walk off wins. Lammar Guy became Mr. Clutch, giving the Panthers both wins, one by singling in the winning run, and in the next game, by a sacrifice fly. The Golden Panthers prove that they can win the close ones and also overpower their opponents.  On the final day of the Coca Cola Classic, the Panthers are hoping to leave with a winning record by defeating their most difficult team yet. Arizona State University is ranked 4th in the nation and has an impressive record of 11-0, just dominating it’s opponents. The Golden Panthers have not been able to defeat ASU in the four times they have played against each other. Turtle Thomas was an assistant for ASU in 2007 and they reunited in 2008 where ASU swept FIU. FIU has a chance to prove they belong with the top teams in the nation, and if they defeat the number four team in the nation on the road, then they can compete with any team on their schedule and expect to win regardless where they play. The men’s baseball team is no longer to be taken lightly and is off to win their conference and perhaps even the College World Series.

The FIU Football team recently released their 2010 schedule. The Golden Panthers will begin their season at home against Rutgers. Last time they met was last year when the Panthers lost a close game, 23 -15. This year’s schedule isn’t as difficult as last years; no more playing the top two teams in the SEC. Another improvement from last year is the cut down of road games from home. It felt as if the team was gone for weeks, they could not feel the student’s support. The out-of-conference games are always very exciting because you get to see your team compete against other teams that you don’t usually see and it is a great way to compare yourself with the best talent in the country. Texas A&M, Maryland and Pittsburgh are going to be the teams that the Panthers will have to face. Unfortunately for the students and fans, all three of the games will be on the road.  The Panthers are coming off a very disappointing season of 3-12, and I believe the upcoming schedule is the first step to a winning season. I’m not saying that the Panthers are going to be contenders any time soon, but with a winning season and their first bowl game in the young program’s history, it’s the stepping stone for building up the program. The bottom line is that the Panthers have to win. Wins equal happy fans and coaches, better recruitment and knowing that your football team is going to compete in some bowl game. Florida is home to the top college football teams in the nation, and it’s always a battle of who is going to get the best players to come to their school every year. FIU competes to gain the best and it won’t be long before the best athletes are looking at FIU to play.