MIAMI – The FIU softball team used a four-run outburst in the bottom of the fifth to secure a 6-3 victory over Stetson on Wednesday afternoon at Felsberg Field in Miami.
Junior
Carmen Perez ripped single up that drove home freshman
Makayla Navarro and junior
Alexis Ross for the eventual tying and winning runs with no outs in the fifth. The Panthers added on two more runs in the frame when sophomore
Ashton Lansdell and Perez each scored on a wild pitch and Stetson error to account for the final margin.
The contest opened with each team trading a pair of runs in the first inning. Stetson scored its two runs following back-to-back bases loaded walks by FIU starting pitcher
Sydney Birling.
FIU (4-2) answered in the bottom of the first by capitalizing on a pair of walks to Navarro and Lansdell when sophomore
Brooke McCann laced a clutch two-out single up the middle to plate both and tie the score at 2-2.
Stetson (3-3) reclaimed the lead in third on a two-out RBI single by Juls Schumacher to set up the Panthers' rally.
Freshman
Ella Whitney (1-1) claimed the win for the Panthers after limiting the Hatters to just four hits and one run over seven innings of relief. She struck out two and walked one.
Hannah Marien (1-1) was tagged with the loss for Stetson after allowing six runs, four of which were earned and four hits across four innings. She struck out five and walked four.
The Panthers stole three bases in Wednesday's victory – marking the fifth time in six games they have swiped at least one base and the fourth game this season with multiple steals. Three different players registered a steal vs. the Hatters including Ross, Navarro and Lansdell.
The Panthers resume their current homestand to begin the season with the opening day of the three-day FIU Invitational on Friday, Feb. 17 with two games.
FIU will begin play against Butler in a 12:30 p.m. ET first pitch before following with a game against Pittsburgh at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Each of FIU's games on Friday against Butler and Pittsburgh will be streamed live on
Conference USA TV.
TICKETS
For more information on FIU Softball season and individual tickets, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit the
FIU Athletics Online Ticket Office.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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@FIUSoftball), and Facebook (
Facebook.com/FIUSoftball) for all the latest FIU Softball news.
