MIAMI – The FIU softball team played a pair of tight games on the opening day of action of the 2024 campaign, ultimately coming away with a pair of defeats as it dropped a 7-4 decision against Southeast Missouri State in eight innings before falling 6-1 to Ohio State in the nightcap.
 
The Panthers battled back in the opener against Southeast Missouri after falling behind 2-0 in the first with single tally in  in their half of the first and a pair in second.  Ashton Lansdell scored on a wild pitch in the first to make the score 2-1 and Kaleena Downing ripped an RBI single in the second to plate Bailey Grossenbacher to deadlock the score at 2-2.
 
Lansdell put the Panthers ahead later in the frame with a two-out single to plate Downing, making the score 3-2.
 
The Redhawks tied the score at 3-3 in the sixth with back-to-back doubles to open the inning and push the contest into extra innings.
 
Southeast Missouri (2-0) went onto plate a total of four runs in the top of the eighth before limiting the Panthers to a single run in their half to close out the win.
 
Kat Sackett finished with three hits, including a pair of doubles ad three RBI to lead SEMO.  Lansdell posted a pair of hits and a stolen base for FIU.
 
In the nightcap against the Buckeyes, Ohio State opened an early 3-0 advantage through the initial five innings before Lansdell drove in a run for the Panthers with a run-scoring groundout in the fifth.
 
Ohio State (1-1) would go on to add three runs in the top of the seventh to account for the final margin.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers continue action at the Felsberg Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 10 with a pair of games, beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET against Stony Brook.
 
FIU will then play an opponent to be determined at either 3 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. ET.  All games will be played at Felsberg Field in Miami.
 
SATURDAY, FEB. 10
Southeast Missouri vs. Ohio State, 10 a.m. - http://statb.us/b/519908
Stony Brook vs. FIU, 12:30 p.m. - http://statb.us/b/510827
2nd vs. 3rd, 3 p.m.
1st vs. 4th, 5:30 p.m.
 
SUNDAY, FEB. 11
L vs. L, 9 a.m.
W vs. W, 11:30 a.m.
 
TUESDAY, FEB. 13
Louisville vs. FIU, 5 p.m.
 
WEDENSDAY, FEB. 14
North Florida vs. FIU, 2 p.m.
 
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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