MIAMI (Feb. 8, 2019) – Opening Day 2019 saw the FIU softball team split a pair of games against Memphis and Michigan State on Friday as the Panthers closed out day one at the Felsberg Invitational.
 
FIU downed Memphis in the early afternoon game by a final tally of 2-1, before falling in the nightcap against Michigan State by 5-0. The win for head coach Heather Gelbard was her first with the Panthers. 
 
Jessica Rivera batted in two runs to lift the Panthers over the Tigers in the first game of the day, while Jackie Schoff crossed the plate twice and earned two hits. Megan Kugelmann pitched 6.0 innings, allowing just one run and fanning five batters to earn the win.
 
With the game tied 1-1 going into the bottom of the third inning, Schoff tripled to right center before being brought home on a Rivera groundout to retake the lead at 2-1. Allison Muraskin closed the door on a Tiger comeback in the top of the seventh inning, striking out two batters in the process of picking up the save.
 
FIU only trailed MSU by a 1-0 margin for most of Friday evening's game, before the Spartans platted four runs in the final two innings to take a 5-0 victory and close out the first day of action from Felsberg Field.
 
Live stats for all games during the Felsberg Invitational can be found here. A full program for the weekend can be found here. For tickets to this weekend's games can be purchased online at tickets.fiusports.com or by phone at 305-FIU-GAME.

UP NEXT
After the opening weekend, the Panthers will hit the road for the short trip to Fort Myers as FIU takes part in the FGCU Tournament. 

SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on the team by following @FIUSoftball on Facebook and @FIUSoftball on Twitter and Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.