MIAMI – FIU senior outfielder Bailey Grossenbacher blasted a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth and pitchers Sydney Birling and Alina Varga combined to allow just a pair of hits to lead the FIU softball team to a 2-1 victory over North Florida on Wednesday afternoon in Miami.
 
Grossenbacher, who now owns a six-game hitting streak launched a shot over the right center wall to give the Panthers the lead for good after they fell behind 1-0 in the first when North Florida scored its lone run of the game on an RBI groundout.
 
FIU starting pitcher Sydney Birling (1-1) picked up the victory after limiting the Ospreys to just a single hit and one run.  Junior Alina Varga pitched the final 1.2 innings and allowed just one hit in notching her first save of the season.
 
North Florida starting pitcher Allison Benning (2-1) took the loss after giving up two runs and eight hits over six innings.
 
The Panthers (3-4) recorded a total of eight hits in the win – including a pair from both Collier Peaden and Abigail Brown.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers will continue their current 12-game season-opening homestand with the four-team Panther Invitational beginning on Friday, Feb. 16 at Felsberg Field in Miami.
 
FIU will open play on Friday at 12:30 p.m. against Army. 
 
The Panthers will follow with a matchup with No. 10/7 Duke, slated for a 5:30 p.m. first pitch on Friday evening.
 
 
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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