JONESBORO, Ark. (5-3-2008) ?  The Golden Panthers of Florida International broke a scoreless tie with an unearned run in the third inning, then added 10 more over the next three frames to defeat Arkansas State 11-2 Saturday night at Tomlinson Stadium and Kell Field.

With the win, FIU (17-31, 9-14) evened the Sun Belt Conference series with the Indians (17-30, 6-17) at 1-1, setting up tomorrow's 1 p.m. rubber match.

After taking a 1-0 lead in the third, Florida International scored twice in the fourth and three times in the fifth to build a 6-0 advantage.  The Golden Panthers added five more in the sixth, highlighted by a two-run home run from right fielder John Petika that stretched the FIU lead to 11-0 before Arkansas State got on the board with a run in the eighth.

Freshman catcher Cade Baxter led off the eighth for the Tribe with a single before eventually scoring on a ground-out from junior center fielder Derrick Coleman. 

ASU added another run in the ninth when senior shortstop Ryan Hudgins doubled to left field and came home on a single up the middle from junior third baseman Guy Brown, setting the final at 11-2.

Senior Chris Allen (4-3) picked up the win for FIU, giving up no runs on three hits in six innings on the mound.  Allen struck out seven batters and walked one.  Junior Jett Jones (1-8) took the loss for ASU, working four and two-thirds innings on the day.  Jones gave up six runs on nine hits while striking out five and walking one.

Petika went 3-for-4 to pace the Golden Panthers, while freshman designated hitter Murray Watts went 3-for-4 to lead the Indians.