Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 STATESBORO, GA. (March 1, 2013) – The FIU Panthers (11-7) came away with a split on the opening day of the Georgia Southern Eagle Classic on Friday, defeating Georgia Southern, 2-0 after dropping the opener, 5-2 to Kennesaw State at Eagle Field.

In the opening inning of the second game, Brie Rojas smacked a two-run homerun over the left field fence to give FIU an early 2-0 lead. The homerun turned out to be all that FIU would need in the day's second game.

Panthers starter, Corinne Jenkins (5-1) earned her fifth win of the season, going the distance, while allowing just two hits, walking one and recording 10 strikeouts.

In the first game, Aleima Lopez put the Panthers in front, 1-0, in the second on a sacrifice fly plating Amber Curry, who reached via a single to lead off the frame.

Rojas put FIU up 2-0 in the third, singling home Nicole Rascon, who reached via a bunt single and stole second base.

Kennesaw State struck four times in the bottom of the fourth inning, giving them all the runs they would need in the game.

After two of the first batters singled, Bianca Durant singled past the shortstop and advanced to second base on a throwing error by Rascon in left, plating Kara Chambers, to cut the lead in half at 2-1.

Missy Perkowski followed with a single, knotting the score at 2-2.

Caitlin Fowler, the ensuing hitter, singled home Durant from third, giving Kennesaw a 3-2 lead.

FIU starter, Mariah Dawson (1-4) was pulled in favor of Shelby Graves after walking the bases loaded. Graves walked the first batter she faced, Jensen Hackett, providing the Owls with a 4-2 advantage. Graves threw the final 2.2 innings, yielding one hit, one run (earned), walking two and striking out four.

FIU will continue Eagle Classic play tomorrow afternoon in a doubleheader with Alabama State and Georgia Southern, slated for 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively.

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).
The Blue and Gold will play 33 home games at the FIU Softball Complex. Season tickets for the 2013 season cost only $35 for public seating, $20 for FIU employees and alumni or $70 for the Family Plan (2 Adults and 3 Youth).  To purchase single-game or season tickets, call the FIU Ticket Office at (305) FIU-GAME, or online at FIUSPORTS.com.

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About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including U.S. Century Bank Arena and Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium.

About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. Its colleges and schools offer more than 180 bachelors, masters and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU is worlds ahead in its local and global engagement, finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission and enrolls nearly 48,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. More than 140,000 alumni live and work in South Florida. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu