MIAMI – The FIU softball team scored four runs in the first inning as it cruised to a 7-1 victory over UTSA on Sunday afternoon to clinch a three-game sweep in the weekend Conference USA series at Felsberg Field.
 
For the weekend, FIU outscored the Roadrunners 19-3 and posted a total of 24 hits over the three games, while limiting UTSA to 12.
 
The win clinched the first series sweep against a Conference USA opponent since 2018, when FIU handed Charlotte three consecutive setbacks from April 28-29. 
 
It also marked the Panthers first series victory against a league foe since it defeated Florida Atlantic in two of three games on April 6-7, 2019.
 
After allowing a run to cross for UTSA in the top of the first on a sacrifice fly, the Panthers ripped off four runs in their half of the first and never looked back. 
 
Frankie Izard scored FIU's initial run after leading off with a single and proceeding to force a pair of UTSA errors on an attempted steal of second, which allowed her to cross and tie the score at 1-1.  Freshman Ella Whitney followed with a single that scored Isabella Perez to make it 2-1, before an RBI groundout from Madison Lewis and a sacrifice fly from Makayla Navarro brought home another pair.
 
FIU (18-18, 5-7 CUSA) extended the lead to 6-1 in the fourth with two more scores that were set up by three stolen bases in the frame by three different players. 
 
Navarro scored on a fielder's choice, after drawing a leadoff walk and swiping second, her 18^th steal of the season.  Izard's speed then led to a second run as she once again forced an error on an attempted steal of second, allowing Brooke McCann to score from third with the sixth run.
 
Navarro drove in the final run of the contest for FIU with a sacrifice fly in the fifth.
 
Junior Carmen Perez continued her offensive assault this weekend with two hits, including her fourth double of the weekend.  Over the three games, Perez posted an .833 batting average (5-for-6/two walks) while driving in three runs and scoring three.  McCann also posted a pair of hits in the win for FIU, including her fourth double of the season.
 
Freshman Megan Kruger (6-3) tabbed her fourth complete game of the season in picking up the win.  She went the full seven innings and limited the Roadrunners to one run and three hits.  She struck out two and did not walk a hitter.
 
Reagan Smith (3-11) took the loss for UTSA after allowing six runs and six hits over four innings.
   
UP NEXT
The Panthers return to the road next weekend with a quick trip up to Palm Beach County for a three-game Conference USA set against Florida Atlantic.  The opening game of the series will take place on Thursday, April 6 beginning at 6 p.m. ET.
 
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.
 
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