Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
8-9
Florida International
13-8
Hot Bats Carry Over as Baseball Downs FIU, 14-3
3/15/2025 8:39:00 PM | Baseball
Bucknell scored two runs in each of the first two innings and then scratched five times in the fourth and sixth. The Bison outhit the Panthers (13-8) 11-4, with five of their hits going for extra bases, and drew eight walks.
After the seven-run ninth led to an 8-6 win on Friday, Bucknell wasted no time in this one. Fluharty hit the game's first pitch up the middle for a single, and four pitches later Dunn took FIU starter Logan Runde out of the park to the opposite field.
How's that for a start! Two batters in, Tyler Dunn goes oppo and the Bison have a quick 2-0 lead at FIU. #rayBucknell
— Bucknell Baseball ⚾️ (@Bucknell_BB) March 15, 2025
Watch: https://t.co/wVD8bH7TPZ@ESPN | @PatriotLeagueHQ pic.twitter.com/Oo9Hi56HGT
FIU picked up an unearned run in the bottom of the first, and then John Calabrese started Bucknell's two-run rally in the second with a one-out single. With two outs, Fluharty laced a double into the right-center gap and Billy Kender drove in Fluharty with a sharp single.
Bucknell broke it open in the fourth. Fluharty's third hit ignited the rally, and Dunn followed with an RBI double into the right-field corner. Garrison Bullock brought home a run with a bases-loaded walk, and additional runs scored on a wild pitch and an error.
Magovern did not allow a hit until the bottom of the fourth, when Brendan Roney touched him for a two-run homer to make it 9-3. Magovern, who has looked strong this spring after missing all of last season with an injury, struck out three-hole hitter Hector Candelas with the bases loaded to prevent further damage.
The Bison brought the run rule into play with another five-spot in the sixth. Trommer, who had already walked and been plunked twice, drove a 2-2 pitch off the scoreboard in left-center to start the inning. Later, Matt Alexander walked with the bases loaded, Chris Morabito scored on a wild pitch, Fluharty plated a run with his fourth hit of the night, and Dunn finished off a four-RBI game with a sac fly. Fluharty has thrived since being elevated to the leadoff spot in the order, and he is now 10-for-19 in five games in Florida this week.
After getting plunked twice earlier in the game, Michael Trommer takes revenge on the baseball with a towering homer to the opposite field. Bison stretch their lead to 10-3! #rayBucknell
— Bucknell Baseball ⚾️ (@Bucknell_BB) March 15, 2025
Watch: https://t.co/wVD8bH7m0r@ESPN | @PatriotLeagueHQ pic.twitter.com/fCN6ls5apb
Bryce Mitchell pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Magovern, and there was some drama in the bottom of the seventh as FIU loaded the bases with the dangerous Brylan West looking to eliminate the run rule and extend the game. Mitchell won the battle, retiring West on a fly ball to right to end the game.
Magovern improved to 2-1 on the season after allowing just one earned run on three hits while striking out five over five innings of work.
The Bison and Panthers complete their four-game series on Sunday at noon at FIU Baseball Stadium.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Magovern, Ben (2-1)
L: Logan RUNDE (2-2)
Batting:
2B: Fluharty, Billy 1 ; Dunn, Tyler 1 ; Morabito, Chris 1
HR: Dunn, Tyler 1 ; Trommer, Michael 1
RBI: Fluharty, Billy 2 ; Dunn, Tyler 4 ; Kender, Billy 1 ; Trommer, Michael 1 ; Bullock, Garrison 1 ; Alexander, Matt 1
SF: Dunn, Tyler 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Fluharty, Billy 3 ; Dunn, Tyler 2 ; Kender, Billy 1 ; Trommer, Michael 2 ; Facinelli, Ryan 2 ; Morabito, Chris 1 ; Calabrese, John 1 ; Chiaravallo, Michael 1 ; Alexander, Matt 1
HBP: Trommer, Michael 2
Batting:
HR: Brendan RONEY 1
RBI: Alex ULLOA 1 ; Brendan RONEY 2
SH: Hector CANDELAS 1
SF: Alex ULLOA 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Brylan WEST 1 ; Austin DEARING 1 ; Brendan RONEY 1
HBP: Kishon FRETT 1 ; Brendan RONEY 1 ; Sebastian BERRIOS 1 ; Javier CRESPO 1
