MIAMI – Senior Venessa Gallegos hit a grand slam and sophomore starting pitcher Brooklynn Linneman tossed her third complete game of the season as the FIU softball team posted a 6-2 victory over Middle Tennessee State in the second game of a weekend conference series on Saturday.
 
The Panthers opened a 1-0 lead after Alexis Ross scored on an error by MTSU first bagger Kaylee Richetto in the bottom of the first before Gallegos cleared the bases in the second with her grand slam to center, putting the Panthers in control 5-0.
 
Hannah Johanning added an RBI single in the third that plated Abigail Brown to increase the FIU lead to 6-0.
 
MTSU managed the avoid the shutout after being limited to just two hits over the initial four innings with single runs in the fifth and seventh.
 
Linneman (7-3) earned the win after limiting the Blue Raiders to two runs and five hits over seven innings. 
 
MTSU starter Claire Woods (2-6) was tagged with the loss after allowing five runs and four hits over a single inning of work.
 
The win FIU's snapped an eight-game skid for the Panthers and improves FIU's record to 16-20 overall and 2-9 in the conference loop.  Middle Tennessee slips to 17-22 on the season and 4-7 in league action.
 
UP NEXT:  The Panthers close out the weekend home series vs. Middle Tennessee State on Sunday, April 10 beginning at 12 p.m. at FIU Softball Stadium.
 
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