HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Senior
Venessa Gallegos homered as the FIU Softball team battled back after a 2-0 deficit before falling 3-2 to Marshall on Friday afternoon in the middle contest of a three-game conference set.
Gallegos hit her blast in the top of the fifth with two outs, a shot to left center, which marked her second of the season and brought the Panthers back to within a run at 2-1.
Marshall, who took an early 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the second, added another in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single by Alex Coleman to reclaim a two-run advantage at 3-2.
FIU once again crept within a run of the lead in the sixth when a sacrifice fly off the bat of
Abigail Brown brought home
Bailey Grossenbacher, making the score 3-2.
The Thundering Herd's two second inning runs came via a bases loaded walk and a run-scoring fielder's choice.
FIU starter
Brooklynn Linneman (8-4) was hit with the loss after allowing five hits, three runs and three walks over four innings. Junior
Alexys Lawson shutout Marshall over the final two innings, allowing just two a pair of singles.
Marshall starter Brianna McCown (2-3) earned the victory after limiting FIU to one run and three hits in five innings of work. She walked two and fanned four. Sydney Nestor logged her third save with two innings of relief that saw her allow three hits and a run.
Junior
Madison Lewis finished with a pair of hits for the Panthers. Gallegos' homer was the lone extra-base hit in the contest.
The loss moves FIU's record to 17-23 overall and 3-11 in the C-USA action. Marshall improves to 27-11 on the season and 10-4 in league action.
UP NEXT: The Panthers conclude the three-game set at Marshall on Saturday, April 16.
First pitch is slated for 12 p.m. ET from Dot Hicks Field in Huntington, W.Va.
Saturday's clash with Marshall can be viewed on
ESPN+ - CLICK TO WATCH
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