OKLAHOMA CITY (January 31, 2018) -- FIU pitcher Shannon Saile (Land O' Lakes, Florida / Land O'Lakes HS) was placed on the USA Softball Top 50 Collegiate Player of the Year "Watch List," the association announced Wednesday. Saile is one of only nine sophomores, only three of whom are pitchers, among the 50.
 
The 2017 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, Saile finished fifth nationally in hits allowed per seven innings (3.49), 21^st in strikeouts (tying the school record with 240 in a single season) and 31^st in ERA. She led the conference in those categories, and in saves, with four.
 
The Panthers open at home, hosting the Felsberg Invitational, February 9-11. The season-opening game for FIU is against St. John's at 1:30 p.m. on February 9, the first of six games that weekend.
 
For softball ticket information, contact the FIU Ticket Office at 305-FIU-GAME or log onto www.FIUSports.com.
 
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Twitter (@FIUSoftball) and become a fan on Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSoftball) for all the latest FIU softball news. Follow all of FIU's 18 athletic teams on Google+ (FIU Athletics), Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers), and Instagram (FIUathletics).

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