BOCA RATON, Fla. – FIU freshman Brooke McNichols limited Florida Atlantic to just five hits and one run while tossing her fourth complete game of the season in a 1-0 defeat to the Owls in the second game of a three-game Conference USA set on Friday afternoon.
 
FAU (25-13, 7-4 C-USA) scored the game's lone run in the bottom of the fifth on a two-out, solo home run to right by Riley Olson.    
 
The Panthers (18-20, 5-9 C-USA) had a chance to tie it up in the bottom of the seventh when senior Madison Lewis blasted a shot to center for a double with one out, but FIU was unable to push her across.
 
For the game, the Panthers outhit the Owls 6-5 and three of those six hits went for extra bases.  Both teams left a total of five runners on base. 
 
Junior Carmen Perez led FIU with a pair of hits to extend her current hitting streak to four games.
 
McNichols (6-2) held the Owls at bay for the majority of the contest, allowing just five hits and one run on the homer.
 
Ainsley Lambert (4-3) tabbed the win for Florida Atlantic after limiting the Panthers to three hits after entering the game in relief and pitching the final five innings.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers conclude their series with the Owls on Saturday, April 6 in a 1 p.m. ET start in Boca Raton.
 
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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