MIAMI, Fla. (05/02/09) ? The Florida International Golden Panthers (28-18, 13-10) jumped out to a 4-0 lead after one inning and went on to defeat Arkansas State 11-5 in game two of a Sun Belt Conference series Saturday night at University Park in Miami.

With the win, FIU evened the weekend series at 1-1 after the Red Wolves (19-26, 9-14) rolled to a 13-1 victory Friday night in game one.

FIU used an RBI single from second baseman Steven Stropp and a three-run home run from designated hitter Tim Jobe to score its four first-inning runs.  Jobe drove in another run in the fifth, and the Panthers added another run in the frame on a sacrifice fly from right fielder Mark Martinez to go up 6-0.

Arkansas State left fielder Cody Pace extended his hitting streak to 20 games in the seventh, putting ASU on the board in the process when he singled to right field to drive in a run and trim the FIU lead to 6-1.

Florida International answered in the bottom of the seventh, reeling off six hits to answer ASU's run with five Panther scores to move out to an 11-1 lead.

Arkansas State scored four times in the eighth to cut the FIU advantage to 11-5, getting a three-run home run from designated hitter Murray Watts and an RBI single from pinch-hitter Josh DeMoney in the inning.

ASU sophomore Andy Ferguson (3-5) took the loss on the mound, giving up six runs on eight hits in four innings of work.  Ferguson struck out four batters while walking two.  Corey Polizzano (4-3) picked up the win for the Panthers, giving up one run on four hits in seven innings on the mound.  Polizzano struck out four Red Wolves and issued two walks.

Left fielder Derrick Coleman and third baseman Guy Brown had two hits each to lead ASU at the plate, while third baseman Garrett Wittels went 3-for-4 with an RBI to lead FIU.

The Red Wolves and Golden Panthers will decide the series Sunday at 11:30 a.m., central time.