WKU Baseball dropped its first contest of the double elimination Conference-USA tournament 7-5 on May 22 against FIU.
The Hilltoppers will face the loser of New Mexico State and Dallas Baptist in their next contest.
WKU will take on the loser of that matchup May 23 at 9 a.m. CT in Ruston, Louisiana.
The Panthers victory over the Hilltoppers started the C-USA tournament with an upset as WKU entered the tournament as the three seed and FIU entered as the six seed.
WKU jumped out to an early lead in the contest, scoring two in the third on a wild pitch and an attempted double steal.
FIU responded with a two-run homer to tie it in the top of the fourth.
The Hilltoppers regained the lead in the fifth with an RBI groundout and an RBI single to make it 4-2.
The Panthers took their first lead of the game in the seventh with a solo homer followed by a two-run homer, making it 5-4.
FIU launched another two-run homer in the top of the ninth, expanding their lead to 7-4.
WKU attempted to rally in the ninth, scoring on an RBI double, but the attempt came up short as FIU held on for a 7-5 victory.
Junior Austin Haller had a strong day at the plate, recording three hits and scoring twice.
Despite the Panthers lower seed, FIU has fared well against WKU on the season, taking three out of four contests against the Hilltoppers.
WKU has fared better against both of their potential opponents as they took two out of three contests against both Dallas Baptist and New Mexico State this season.Â
