MIAMI – The FIU softball team allowed four runs in the first inning before eventually falling by the score of 11-2 in five innings against Louisville on Tuesday evening at Felsberg Field.
 
The Cardinals' four-run first was keyed by a three-run homer by Riley Frizell.
 
The Panthers (2-4) battled back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third on a RBI double by Bailey Grossenbacher, who has at least one hit in each of the five games she has played this season, and a run-scoring groundout by Ella Whitney.
 
Louisville (6-0) put the game away with a six-run fourth that was aided by a three-RBI double by Kiley Goff and a total of three defensive miscues by the Panthers in the frame.
 
Daisy Hess drove home Ally Alexander on a double in the fifth for the final run of the contest.
 
The Panthers left a total of nine runners on base in the game – including five in the opening two innings.
 
Brooke McNichols (1-1) took the loss for FIU after allowing seven runs, six earned on three hits over 3.1 innings.  She walked three and struck out two.
 
Louisville starter Alyssa Zabala (3-0) earned the win after limiting the Panthers to two runs and three hits over four innings.  She walked five and also tabbed five strikeouts.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers will continue their current 12-game season-opening homestand with a showdown against in-state foe North Florida on Wednesday, Feb. 14 from Felsberg Field.
 
First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. ET and 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.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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