Box Score MIAMI (March 17, 2013) – For the second-straight day, the Panthers (21-13, 4-1) came out swinging and earned their second-consecutive mercy-rule victory, with an 11-2 win over Middle Tennessee (2-23, 1-4) on Sunday at the FIU Softball Complex.

The Panthers fell behind, 2-0 in the top of the second inning after an error by shortstop Kayla Burri and a wild pitch by pitcher Corinne Jenkins.

FIU responded, putting up a seven-spot on the scoreboard in the second inning on just four hits.

Nicole Rascon reached base and advanced to second on a fielding error by the shortstop that allowed Rachel Slowik and Krystal Garcia to score, tying the game at 2-2.

Middle Tennessee's Shelby Stinnett relieved starter Jordyn Fisherback (2-12) and walked Jessy Alfonso, Brie Rojas and Burri to bring two runners home, putting the score at 4-2.

An RBI single by Aleima Lopez (her 24th on the season) and a two-run double by Slowik (3-for-3 on the afternoon) gave Jenkins (11-2) all the run support she needed to put FIU ahead, 7-2.

The Panthers sent nine batters to the plate against the Blue Raiders' third pitcher of the day, Ashley Stassin, who surrendered the final four runs in the fourth inning on three
base hits. The inning comprised of two illegal pitches, resulting in a run followed by a two-run, pinch-hit single by Kennah Orr, to give FIU the 11-2 advantage.

Jenkins earned her team-leading 11th victory of the season, allowing two runs on four hits, while striking out three in four innings of action.

Shelby Graves came in to throw a scoreless fifth frame, allowing one hit.

FIU will next host Sun Belt opponent, South Alabama in a double header on Saturday, March 23.  First pitch set for 4 p.m. ET.

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