MIAMI (March 15, 2016) -- Rutgers scored four unearned runs in the final inning and overtook FIU 4-3 in game one of a Tuesday softball doubleheader on Felsberg Field at the FIU Softball Stadium. Three FIU errors led to the unearned runs in the seventh after the Panthers were cruising in the contest.

The loss ends a Panthers' three-game win streak and drops the season record to 17-11. Rutgers has won two straight and is 10-14.

After failing to reach base in the first trip through the order, the Panthers were able to get to Rutgers starter Whitney Jones in the fourth. After a leadoff single and fielder's choice, junior center fielder Gaby Spallone (Miami, Florida / Palmetto HS) doubled to put two runners in scoring position with one out. Senior catcher Aleima Lopez (Deltona, Florida / Deltona) then lifted a fly ball out to left for a sacrifice fly and the 1-0 lead. Second baseman Dani Mowry (Cocoa, Florida / Space Coast HS) then singled to center to score the second run of the game and a 2-0 margin.

FIU tacked on what appeared to be an insurance run in the sixth on three hits and an error on the Rutgers shortstop for a 3-0 lead.

The Scarlet Knights hit a leadoff single to right center to start the seventh, but two-straight ground balls turned into infield errors on the Panthers to leave the bases loaded. A double to left by Stephanie Huang drove in two and a third error on the Panthers turned into the tying run. An RBI groundout scored Huang from third and became the game-winning RBI.

Mowry led FIU with two hits in the contest.

Freshman reliever Megan Kugelmann (Merritt Island, Florida / Cocoa Beach HS) took the loss, though she did not allow an earned run in the game. She was charged with one hit in her inning of work to drop to 5-2. 

Jones pitched the complete game and got the win to improve to 3-3 on the season.

The two teams will finish with game two under the lights.

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/.