MIAMI (April 9, 2016) -- FIU softball was able to post a run on the top pitcher in Conference USA, but one run was not enough as the No. 24 Florida Atlantic Owls came away with a 4-1 win in game one of a Saturday doubleheader from Felsberg Field at the FIU Softball Stadium. The Panthers slip to 21-18, 7-6 in Conference USA. FAU is now 31-7 and 8-2 in the league.
 
FAU starter Kylee Hanson, the league-leader in earned run average and strikeouts, kept the Panthers at bay, allowing an unearned run in her 16^th complete game of the season. She struck out 11 batters and allowed three hits and a walk in the win (16-3).
 
FAU loaded the bases in the top of the first, all three runners reaching with two outs, but a called strikeout to end the inning by FIU starter Corinne Jenkins (Sarasota, Florida / Riverview) kept the game scoreless.
 
The Panthers got leadoff hits in the second and third innings, but could not come home off of Hanson. The hit in the third was a leadoff double from senior Dominique Grossman (Miami, Florida / Gulliver Prep / Georgia Southern Univ.), which hit the top of the fence and came back in the stadium for her second double and third extra-base hit of the year.
 
FAU got the first runs of the day in the fourth. The Owls corralled two infield singles and another hit to the outfield in the inning.
 
The Panthers got a run back in the fifth. A.J. Belans (Hollywood, Florida / American Heritage HS) walked to start the inning, advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt from designated player Kaitlyn Musa (Miami, Florida / West Minster Christian). Grossman struck out, but reached on a wild pitch, which led to a throwing error and allowed Belans to score.
 
FAU scored an earned and unearned run in the top of the seventh on a sacrifice fly and a fielding error for the game's final runs.
 
Jenkins took the loss (5-6) after allowing eight hits and five walks, leading to three earned runs. She struck out three Owls in the game.
 
The two teams will finish the day with one more game and conclude the series Sunday at 1 p.m.

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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/.