MURFREESBORO, Tennessee (May 8, 2021) - Four runs in the ninth inning lifted the FIU softball team past Middle Tennessee 8-4 on Saturday afternoon, as the Panthers took an extra-inning decision over the Blue Raiders.

FIU and MTSU will play one final game on Sunday to cap the series, with first pitch slated for Noon ET.

The Panthers scored four runs in the top half of the first inning, before the Blue Raiders came back to tie the game and send it into extras. An Alexis Ross RBI single and Jessica Rivera three-run homer gave FIU the 8-4 lead in the top half of the ninth as the Panthers held on for the victory. 

Ross, Rivera, Brianna Hill and Venessa Gallegos led the Panthers on Saturday with a pair of hits each. Rivera and Hill each earned three RBI on the day, thanks to both Panthers hitting long balls. The homer was Rivera's eighth of the year and the first of the season for Hill. 

Kendahl Dunford pitched four innings in relief to earn the win in the circle. Dunford allowed no runs, just one hit and struck out one batter. 

UP NEXT
The Panthers and Blue Raiders will cap the series on Sunday at Noon ET. 

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