MIAMI (Feb. 19, 2015) – The FIU softball team (7-5) enters its third week of the season, taking part in its second tournament away from Felsberg Field at FIU Softball Stadium, as the Panthers travel upstate to Madeira Beach for the EMU Madeira Beach Tournament. The Panthers will play five games over the course of three days, with a tournament start time of 11 a.m. on Friday.
 
Stay Connected
For those unable to attend this weekend's tournament, FIUsports.com will be providing livestats via Gametracker and StatBroadcast for all five Panther games. Fans are also encouraged to following along for in-game updates on the softball team's Twitter and Instagram accounts.
 
Catching Up
The Panthers found themselves in a bit of an offensive slump when they returned home for the first time this season, gong .500 over the course of six games during the FIU Invitational. The team posted two wins versus LIU Brooklyn (12-4, 2-1) and one over Memphis (4-3).
 
The Panthers' offense found help from unusual faces over the weekend, as senior Rebekah Sanchez (.600) found her swing and led the FIU offense with six hits, including one for extra bases. Freshman Ashley Belans hit the first home run of her young career during the three-day affair, blasting a grand slam versus LIU. She finished the weekend with a team-high-tying four RBI, matching that of sophomore Gabby Spallone.
 
FIU vs. the Field
The Panthers face two first-time opponents this weekend, including Columbia and North Dakota. In the five-team field FIU faces over the course of three days, the Panthers carry an all-time record of 6-3.
 
FIU will also face a familiar foe over the weekend, as former volunteer assistant coach from the 2014 season Kelly Kretschman is now on the staff at Texas State. It marks the first time in a two-week span that the Panthers will face last season's coaching corps, as FIU will host Ole Miss next weekend, which is where former Head Coach Jake Schumann and Pitching Coach Sharon Palma have landed.
 
Fast as Lightening Leon
FIU needed to replace its speed after losing Bre Kaye following the 2014 season. Sophomore and Auburn transfer Ashley Leon has filled that void and then some. Through 12 games, she already has four stolen bases, including a straight steal of home, something that was not done once for the Panthers in 2014.
 
Some Numbers to Consider
02 – For the second time in as many seasons, FIU saw one of its players hit the first home run of their career not only at home but with a grand slam. Then-junior Krystal Garcia belted a grand slam versus Maryland, while freshman Ashley Belans had a similar fate over the weekend against LIU Brooklyn.
 
12 – Stephanie Texeira has reached base safely in all 12 games the Panthers have played this season and has reached on a hit on 10 of those occasions. Dating back to last season, she has reached base safely in 34 of FIU's last 35 competitions.
 
35 – Junior Corinne Jenkins picked up her 35th career victory over the weekend, as part of a 2-1 decision over LIU Brooklyn. With the win, she moves into a three-way tie for fifth all-time in program history for victories by a pitcher.
 
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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About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports, and is a proud member of Conference USA. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including FIU Arena and the FIU Football Stadium.
 
About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offers more than 180 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU contributes $9.8 billion each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded over 200,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell, FIU@I-75, and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has over 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.