Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Monroe, La. (April 6, 2013) – The Panthers earned two road victories against Sun Belt Conference rival, Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday, 5-2 and 7-2.

FIU scored twice in the game's opening inning on a fielder's choice to second base off the bat of Aleima Lopez, scoring Amber Curry and a sacrifice fly by Rachel Slowik, plating Nicole Rascon.

The Panthers extended their lead to 3-0 in the top of the second.

ULM scored once in the second inning to make it 3-1, on a groundout to first base by Elena DiMattia, scoring Janel Salanoa, who reached on a fielding error by Brie Rojas to lead off the inning.

The Warhawks earned their second run in the bottom of the third inning. After the first two batters of the inning reached via a walk and a hit-by-pitch, FIU's catcher, Lopez, threw the ball into left field in an attempt to throw out runner, Mackenzie Miller, allowing Miller to score and bring the tally to 3-2.

In the top of the sixth, FIU put the game away, taking advantage of two ULM defensive errors to take a 5-2 edge.

Panthers starter Mariah Dawson threw a complete game to earn her fifth win of the season, allowing two runs (both unearned) on two hits, walking two and fanning four.

In game two, the leadoff hitter, Curry, gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead on a solo home run to leftfield.

Four batters later, Rachel Slowik tacked on a second run on a sacrifice fly to right, plating Bre Kaye, to put FIU ahead, 2-0

FIU benefited from another ULM miscue in the top of the third, scoring three times on a fly ball by Krystal Garcia that was dropped by the rightfielder with two outs.

Rojas' sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth put the Panthers ahead, 6-0.

ULM scored once in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by Summer Melancon to put the Warhawks on the scoreboard, 6-1.

The Panthers' seventh run came at the hands of a wild pitch in the sixth, plating Kayla Burri from third, who led off the inning with a single.

ULM got a second run off starter Corinne Jenkins (12-5), who earned the victory, lasting six-plus innings, and allowing five hits on two runs (one earned).

Shelbie Wagnon finished the final two frames, yielding a hit and fanning two.

The Panthers and Warhawks will finish the series tomorrow at 1 p.m.

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/.