GULF SHORES, Ala. (Feb. 7, 2015) – GULF SHORES, Ala. (Feb. 7, 2015) – The FIU softball team (3-1) found itself in a pitching duel on Saturday afternoon, but utilized timely hitting to top the Eastern Kentucky  Colonels, 4-1.

Junior Corinne Jenkins went the distance for the second time this season and improved to 3-0, while striking out a season-high eight batters.

Sophomore Ashley Leon went 3-for-3 with two stolen bases, and senior Krystal Garcia put the Panthers ahead for good off her first home run of the season. Sophomore Stephanie Texeira also had a perfect day at the plate going 2-for-2 with two RBI and two walks.

Two hard-hit singles to left field by Leon and Texeira revved up the Panthers' offense early, but they were unable to push a run home. Jenkins continued to deal in the second inning, picking up two more strikeouts and snagging a popup to end the 11-pitch top of the frame.

The junior pitcher was then able to work around a lead-off single to open the third inning, as she retired the side, picking up her fourth strikeout of the game in the process.

The Panthers played some small ball to get the game's first run across in the third inning, following a one-out single from Leon. After a four-pitch walk to Texeira put two on with one out, sophomore Gabby Spallone advanced Leon to third off a sacrifice fly to center. Leon then caught the Colonels off guard and stole home off a delayed steal with a 2-0 count to senior Shelby Graves.

Eastern Kentucky tied the game up at 1-1 in the top of the fourth. A double by Katie Tackett scored the runner on first, but Jenkins limited the Colonels' damage to just one run despite having two runners in scoring position.

Jenkins continued to shut down the Colonels in the fifth inning, as she picked up her third 1-2-3 inning of the game. She picked up her seventh strikeout of the game in the inning, while freshman shortstop Ashley Belans secured the inning's final two outs, one of which came off a diving snag of a line drive.

Eastern Kentucky found itself in a good spot in the top of the sixth inning, as the Colonels were able to load the bases and with two outs. Jenkins jammed the 7-hole batter to force a dribble to Texeira, who tagged first unassisted to erase the threat.

In the bottom of the sixth, Garcia led off with a solo shot over the left field wall for the senior's first home run of the season, giving the Panthers back a 2-1 lead.

FIU continued to break through in the sixth inning that gave Jenkins a three-run cushion for the seventh. With two outs already recorded, Leon was able to work a 10-pitch walk to load the bases for Texeira, who saw eight-straight balls in her two prior at bats. She took the first pitch she saw to straight-away center for a two-RBI single.

FIU returns to the field later tonight for a showdown with No. 3/4 Alabama at 7 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)

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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 offer 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 $8.9 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/.