FORT MYERS, Florida (February 24, 2017) -- FIU softball began its tournament weekend by falling in a shutout at the hands of Wisconsin, 5-0, to start the FGCU/Four Points by Sheraton Invitational. The loss, only the second shutout of the season of the Panthers, drops them to 8-4 overall.
 
FIU was limited to five hits and left nine runners on base in the contest. The best chance for the Panthers to score came in the fourth inning, as the bases were loaded, on two singles and an error without an out recorded. FIU was then retired in order on a popout, a grounder to the pitcher to force out the runner coming home and a groundout to second to end the threat. 
 
Sophomore Jackie Schoff (Bradenton, Florida / Lakewood Ranch HS) started the game with an infield single to third. That extended her hitting streak to five games. She leads the team with a .500 batting average.
 
The loss went to freshman Shannon Saile (Land O'Lakes, Florida / Land O'Lakes HS), who dropped to 2-3 on the season. She pitched the first four innings, allowing four hits, five walks and five earned runs. She struck out two. 

The Panthers face Rutgers later in the day to finish their first day of the three-day event.

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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/.