Feb. 5, 2006
MIAMI -- Walker Whitley pitched 7.0 shutout innings to lead host Florida International (2-2) past UCF 4-3 in the first game of a doubleheader Sunday at University Park in Miami. The host Golden Panthers earned the doubleheader sweep with a 13-3 victory in game two.
The Golden Knights (0-2) lost their first two games of the season for the first time since 1993 when UCF started the season 0-3.
Junior left-handed pitcher Chris Siebenaler (1-1) held UCF to a pair of unearned runs in 6.2 innings for his first career victory.
Senior catcher Ryan Bono gave UCF its first lead of the season with his first home run of the year in the first inning to spot UCF a 1-0 lead.
FIU catcher Luis Bautista launched a solo home run in the bottom of the second to tie the game.
The Golden Panthers sent eight batters to the plate in the third and scored three runs to take a 4-1 lead. James McOwen and Yosvel Barroso each drove in one run with RBI-singles in the three-run frame.
Another three-run inning in the fourth pushed the FIU lead to 7-1. Nick Cadena had the big hit in the frame with a two-run single for the Golden Panthers.
Freshman right fielder Dave DiNatale led UCF offensively with two hits (2-for-4).
UCF returns to the diamond Tuesday evening at Bethune-Cookman. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. from Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach.