Ryan Mollica's RBI single in the top of the ninth inning proved to be the game-winner as FIU defeated host New Orleans 7-5 on Sunday.
Mollica went 3 for 4 with two RBI, extending his hitting streak to 25 games. That tied him with Luis Fernandez for the fifth-longest streak in school history.
James Lajiness (2-0) pitched 5 1/3 innings in relief for the victory, giving up two runs on four hits. He struck out three. Jorge Ramos started for FIU (13-29, 6-12 Sun Belt) and got a no-decision, pitching 3 2/3 innings and giving up three runs on four hits and three walks.
Stephen Whalen started for UNO (25-13, 9-8) and threw threw six innings, giving up three runs on eight hits. David Burch (2-1) took the loss, pitching an 1 1/3 innings and yielding one run on one hit.
The victory snapped an eight-game conference losing streak for the Golden Panthers, who will play No. 1 Miami at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Coral Gables.
