FIU's run of defeating top teams came to an abrupt end Saturday afternoon in a 10-0 loss to Louisiana-Monroe at University Park Stadium.
After defeating No. 1 Miami on Wednesday, FIU beat the Warhawks, the Sun Belt's top team, in the series opener Friday. But ULM right-hander Kyle Smith baffled the Golden Panthers to even the three-game series.
Smith held FIU to a season-low three hits in 7 1/3 shutout innings. ULM (29-13, 18-5) got five early runs and added four in the ninth to finish off FIU (15-30, 7-13).
With the victory, ULM clinched a spot in the Sun Belt tournament. FIU entered the game in ninth place, one game behind Louisiana-Lafayette and Middle Tennessee for the eighth and final spot in the tournament. The Golden Panthers have 10 conference games left.
FIU, which was hitting .300 before Saturday's first pitch, had just three baserunners reach second base. Smith (3-1) at one point set down 12 consecutive Golden Panthers.
The only time Smith encountered any trouble was when FIU right fielder Raimy Fuentes walked with one out in the seventh and first baseman Tyler Townsend followed with a single.
Smith, however, struck out Steven Stropp and John Petika to end the inning.
Louisiana-Monroe got Smith all the runs he would need in the second inning off FIU starter Jorge Ramos (2-4).
With one out in the second, Ryan McMillan walked and Matt Collins followed with a single to center. Ramos then balked, advancing the runners to second and third. Nick Maragas knocked in the first run with a ground out. Matt Laird then singled to left center for a 2-0 lead.
ULM added three runs in the fourth inning on a two-run home run by Collins and an RBI double by Laird.
• North Carolina 11, Florida State 4: Kyle Shelton hit a three-run homer in an 11-run eighth inning for host North Carolina (37-7, 17-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) that erased a 3-0 lead by Florida State. Buster Posey had two RBI for Florida State (34-6, 18-4).
• Florida 7, Georgia 2: Stephen Locke pitched a complete game, and Jon Townsend had three RBI for host Florida (26-16, 11-9 Southeastern Conference). Georgia is 29-13-1 15-4-1.
• Western Kentucky 11, FAU 5: Troy Bubley had two hits, including a solo homer, for host FAU (24-17, 11-7 Sun Belt). Western Kentucky is 24-18 and 11-9.
Miami Herald Wire Services contributed.
