MIAMI – FIU senior hurler Kendahl Dunford made a pair of first inning runs stand up as she limited FAU to just three hits in posting her second shutout and 12^th complete game of the season while guiding the FIU softball team to a 2-0 win in the opening game of a three-game set on Friday evening.
 
The Panthers got all the runs they needed in the bottom of the first as they capitalized after Brittany Phillips and Madison Lewis opened the frame by drawing back-to-back walks.  Phillips came home on a sacrifice fly by Bailey Grossenbacher and Lewis followed on a two-out RBI double to deep right off the bat of Gaby Ruiz.
 
Dunford shut down the Owls the rest of the way as the senior only allowed a single runner to advance beyond first base.  She did not allow a walk and struck out six over seven innings of work.  The win improves her record to 6-11 on the season.
 
Lynn Gardner (13-7) took the loss for the Owls after allowing two runs, two walks and two hits over six innings.
 
The win rises FIU's record to 18-24 overall and 4-12 in the C-USA action.  FAU slips to 22-22 on the season and 9-7 in league action.
 
UP NEXT:  The Panthers continue the weekend series with FAU on Saturday, April 23 at 6 p.m. ET. 
 
Saturday's meeting with the Owls can be viewed on Conference USA TV – CLICK HERE
 
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