MIAMI – Sophomore Abigail Brown scored the winning run on a groundout in the bottom of the eighth as the FIU softball team recorded a walk-off victory for the second straight day with a 6-5 victory over Cleveland State in its opening game on Saturday at the Panther Invitational.
 
The nightcap against Buffalo was halted with FIU leading 6-0 with one out in the top of the fifth due to inclement weather.  The game will resume at the point beginning at 9 a.m. ET on Sunday.

Sunday's Complete Revised Schedule (Feb. 20)
9 a.m.               FIU vs. Buffalo (continuation of halted game)
10:30 a.m.        Cleveland State vs. Buffalo
1 p.m.               FIU vs. Penn State
 
In Saturday's opener, the Panthers began the back-and-forth affair trailing 2-0 after Cleveland State belted a pair of solo homers in the top of the first from the bats of Aly Packish and Becky Hurosky.
 
Hanna Johanning answered with an RBI double in the bottom of the second to trim the lead to 2-1 before the Vikings posted an unearned run in the top half of the third to make the score 3-1.
 
The Panthers then reclaimed the lead at 4-3 with three runs in bottom of the third on the strength of an RBI single by Bailey Grossenbacher and a pair of runs that were driven home via a bases loaded walk and a hit batter, also with the bases full.
 
Cleveland State responded with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth to take a 5-4 edge on a two-RBI single by Sophie Spellman.  The Panthers tied the game in the bottom of the sixth on a single by Madison Lewis that drove home Sam Bodell to set up extra innings.
 
Junior Alexys Lawson (2-2) picked up the win in relief for the Panthers after tossing 1.2 innings while allowing no runs and one hit.  She issued one walk.  Torrie Jenkins took the loss for the Vikings after allowing three hits and two runs over 4.2 innings.
 
Lewis, Alexis Ross and Grossenbacher each finished the game with two hits, while Johanning and Grossenbacher each drove in a pair of runs.
 
The Panthers bats stayed hot in the nightcap against Buffalo as they took control early on with a six-run outburst in the bottom of the second. 
 
Gabby Ruiz and Brianna Hill started the fray with RBI singles to make the score 2-0.  Lewis drove in two more with a single to center and senior Kayla Whitehead capped it off with a two RBI single that plated Lewis and Ross, putting FIU ahead 6-0.
 
Rain then halted play with FIU leading 6-0 with one out in the top of the fifth.  Play will resume Sunday, Feb. 20 at 9 a.m.
 
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 (3) vs. Buffalo (5) - FINAL
12:30 p.m.       FIU (6) vs. Cleveland State (5) – FINAL (8 innings)
4:30 p.m.         FIU (6) vs. Buffalo (0) – Halted by rain in Top of 5th
7 p.m.               Penn State vs. Cleveland State – CANCELLED/WEATHER
 
Sunday, Feb. 20
9 a.m.               FIU vs. Buffalo (continuation of halted game)
10:30 a.m.       Cleveland State vs. Buffalo
1 p.m.               FIU vs. Penn State
 
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