MIAMI – Sophomore Brooke McNichols and freshman Alina Varga each tossed complete game shutouts and graduate Casey Goguts launched a three-run homer to lead the FIU softball team to a pair of wins during the second day of action at the Felsberg Invitational on Saturday.
The Panthers (2-2) opened the day with a convincing 12-0 victory over Stony Brook, which was halted after five innings due to the mercy rule. FIU followed that with a 1-0 shutout win over Southeast Missouri.
In the win over Southeast Missouri, Varga, who was making the first start of her FIU career, kept the Redhawks at bay all afternoon – allowing just a total of five baserunners while facing a total of 25 hitters, just four over the minimum. She did not allow a runner to advance to third and retired the final eight hitters she faced.
The lone run of the contest came in the top of the second on an RBI groundout by Makayla Navarro, who brought home Bailey Grossenbacher after she combined with Isabella Perez for back-to-back singles to create the scoring opportunity.
The opener saw the Panthers explode for 12 runs over the initial four innings to take firm control. Goguts notched her first of four RBI on the day with a double that scored freshman Kally Meredith for the opening run of the contest.
Meredith helped spark a three-run third with a bunt single to first, that followed a pair of walks and scored Kaleena Downing from second following a throwing error on the bunt attempt. Collier Peaden smacked a two RBI single to plate both Meredith and Zamyama Burrows and increase the lead to 4-0.
McBurrows added a two RBI double in the fourth and Goguts put the game away with a three-run homer over the left field wall in the fourth to increase the margin to 9-0. Freshman Natalie Burns recorded a double in the fourth to add two more runs.
FIU starting pitcher Brooke McNichols (1-0) went the full five innings and limited the Seawolves to one base hit.
UP NEXT
The Panthers conclude action at the Felsberg Invitational on Sunday, Feb. 11 with a single contest against either Ohio State or Stony Brook, slated for an 11:30 a.m. ET first pitch.
The game will be televised live on ESPN+.
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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