MIAMI (March 17, 2019) – Despite a late-inning rally on Sunday afternoon, the FIU softball team couldn't avoid a sweep against WKU as the Panthers fell 5-4 to close out the opening weekend in Conference USA play.
 
With the loss, FIU falls to 17-12 (0-3 C-USA) and WKU improves to 18-5 (3-0 C-USA). The Panthers return to action on Tuesday, March 19 against Buffalo for a midweek doubleheader slated for 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Felsberg Field.
 
Allison Muraskin took the loss for FIU in the circle, after pitching 5.2 innings and allowing four runs. WKU's Kennedy Sullivan improved to 12-2 on the season after pitching 5.1 innings and allowing just two runs before she exited the game.
 
At the plate, Alexis Johns collected two hits in two at bats, while scoring a run. Brittany Phillips earned two RBIs on the afternoon after doubling to right center for her first hit of the season.
 
FIU trailed 5-0 entering the bottom half of the sixth, before the Panther bats finally came alive to score four runs on five hits in the inning.
 
Kayla Whitehead began the rally with a double to center that scored Madison Lewis, before Phillips earned a double of her own to bring around Whitehead and Johns to make it 5-3. Tori Jones produced the final run of the rally, as she singled to bring home Phillips and leave the score at 5-4.
 
WKU's Kelsey Aikey closed the game for her fourth save of the season to preserve the 5-4 win for the Hilltoppers.

UP NEXT
The Panthers will host Buffalo on Tuesday, March 19 for a midweek doubleheader with the games slated for 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET.

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