MIAMI – Sophomore Alexis Ross scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh to lift the FIU softball team to a walk off 4-3 win over Buffalo on Friday afternoon in the Panthers' opening game at the Panther Invitational.
 
Ross opened the final frame with an infield single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Carmen Perez.  She advanced to third on a single to center by senior Kayla Whitehead before scoring the decisive run on a wild pitch by Buffalo's Julia Tarantino.
 
Perez out FIU in front 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth with a sacrifice fly to right that plated Madison Lewis, who opened the inning with a leadoff double.  Buffalo had tied the game with a pair of runs in the top half of the fifth on three walks, error and pass ball.
 
FIU jumped out to an early 1-0 edge on a clutch two-out RBI double by Whitehead that plated Perez, who walked and stole second – also with two outs.
 
FIU tacked on another two-out run in the bottom half of the fourth to up the lead to 2-0.  Following a two-out double by Venessa Gallegos to left center, Brittany Phillips followed with a single up the middle to bring home Gallegos.
 
Senior Kendahl Dunford tossed 6.0 innings while allowing three runs, only one of which was earned and four hits.  She struck out eight and walked five.  Alexys Lawson (1-1) picked up the win after tossing an inning of hitless, shutout relief.
 
Tarantino (0-1) was tagged with the loss for Buffalo after allowing nine hits and four runs over 6.1 innings.
 
Whitehead finished the contest 3-for-4 at the plate for the Panthers with a double and an RBI.  Gallegos also registered a pair of hits in the win – both doubles.
 
The nightcap saw the Panthers drop a 7-0 decision against Penn State.  Nittany Lion hurler Bailey Parshall finished the contest with a perfect game – retiring all 21 batters she faced.
 
The 1-1 mark on the day moves the Panthers' overall record to 2-5 on the season.  FIU is scheduled to play a pair of games at the Panther Invitational on Saturday beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET vs. Cleveland State.
 
UP NEXT:  The Panthers return to action on Saturday, Feb. 19 with the second day of play against Cleveland State in a 12:30 p.m. start.  FIU will also play either at 3 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. depending on the tournament's earlier results.
 
 
2022 Panther Invitational
at FIU Softball Stadium
 
Friday, Feb. 18
10 a.m.            Buffalo (4) vs. Cleveland State (1) - FINAL
12:30 p.m.       Cleveland State (2) vs. Penn State (4) - FINAL
3 p.m.               FIU (4) vs. Buffalo (3) - FINAL
5:30 p.m.         FIU (0) vs. Penn State (7) - FINAL
 
Saturday, Feb. 19
10 a.m.            Penn State vs. Buffalo
12:30 p.m.       FIU vs. Cleveland State
4:30 p.m.         No. 2 vs. No. 3
7 p.m.               No. 1 vs. No. 4
 
Sunday, Feb. 20
10 a.m.            No. 2/3 loser vs. No. 1/4 loser
12:30 p.m.       1/4 winner vs. 2/3 winner
 
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