MIAMI – Freshman
Kaleena Downing drove in the game's lone run with a RBI single in the bottom of the second and made a number of hit-saving plays at third base to held lead the FIU softball team to a 1-0 victory over Middle Tennessee in the final game of the three-game Conference USA series on Sunday afternoon.
FIU junior pitcher
Sydney Birling (5-6) tossed her fourth complete game and second shutout of the season while limiting the Blue Raiders to just five hits.
Downing took away a pair of Middle Tennessee hits to close out the top of the second. She first snagged a hard-hit line drive that was headed for the left field line before making a diving snag on a second shot down the line.
Following her defensive efforts, Downing lifted a single to right that scored senior
Frankie Izard with two outs in the bottom half of the second frame.
Middle Tennessee (30-15, 9-8 CUSA) stranded a total of nine runners on base and had a total of six runners in scoring position left on base from the third inning on.
Gretchen Mead (11-4) took the loss for Middle Tennessee after allowing one run and four hits over six innings.
UP NEXT
The Panthers (20-24, 6-12 CUSA) are back at home next weekend for the final home series of the season when they host Western Kentucky.
The three-game set begins on Friday, April 28 at 6 p.m. ET. All three games of the series will be broadcast on CUSA.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
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram
(@FIUSoftball), Twitter (
@FIUSoftball), and Facebook (
Facebook.com/FIUSoftball) for all the latest FIU Softball news.
