MIAMI (Feb. 16, 2014) – Off to the second-best start in program history, the FIU softball team (8-2) shutout the Georgia Southern Eagles (7-2), 2-0, in the championship game of the FIU Classic Sunday afternoon, as sophomore Corinne Jenkins (6 IP, 6 hits, 4 K) and junior Shelby Graves (1 IP, 0 hits, 2 K) combined for the seven-inning shutout, the fourth of Jenkins' career.

 

The Eagles outhit the Panthers, 6-5, but timely defense from FIU would result in six being left on base for Georgia Southern. This is the first time this season that the team has been outhit during a victory.

 

In the top of the second, Jenkins only needed six pitches to retire the side, including one, three-pitch caught looking at bat.

 

Graves almost snuck a hit through the right side in the bottom half of the second, but it was snatched up by the first baseman for the unassisted putout. Freshman Gabby Spallone (2-for-2)  just missed her second home run of the season two batters later when she laced a two-out double, which scraped the center field wall on its way down.

 

In the top of the third, the Eagles led off with a stand-up double to left center. Off a fielder's choice, senior Rachel Slowik (1-for-2) nailed the runner at third, before Jenkins followed with her third strikeout in as many innings. Heads up defense from senior second baseman Bre Kaye ended the inning. With a runner on first, Kaitlin Johnson beat out the infield single hit to Kaye, but Kaye went across the diamond to get Emily Snider trying to go first-to-third on the play for the 4-5 put-out.

 

Georgia Southern threatened again in the top of the fifth, as the first two Eagles reached base. A double play off an infield fly would quickly erase the threat.

 

Scoreless through four and a half innings, Spallone sent a shot to the same place she did in the second inning, except over the fence, for her second home-run of the season.  Junior Krystal Garcia (1-for-2) drove in an insurance run three batters later off a double to left field, which drove in senior Nicole Rascon (1-for-2).

 

The first two Eagles reached in the top of the seventh when Head Coach Jake Schumann called for Graves to close the game. The Temecula, Calif., native retired the side, two of which were strikeouts, for her first save this season.

 

FIU is back in action on Friday when the team plays Dartmouth and North Florida. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. from the FIU Softball Stadium.

 

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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