MIAMI – Sophomore
Ella Whitney went 3-for-3 with three RBI and junior pitcher
Jordyn Ages tossed a complete-game shutout as the FIU softball team opened play at this weekend's FIU Classic with a 5-0 win over UIC to begin what was a thrilling Friday at Felsberg Field.
The excitement continued in the nightcap as the Panthers rallied from a 5-2 deficit for a 6-5 victory – with junior
Bailey Grossenbacher providing the big blow with a two-run, two-out homer in the bottom of the sixth, to give FIU its first lead at 6-5.
In the opener, Whitney keyed a two-run fourth inning with an RBI single and then provided the crucial hit with a two-run double in a three-run fifth that put the Panthers in control to stay.
Ages (2-2) went the full seven innings while limiting the Flames to just three hits en route to the victory. She fanned a total of four hitters.
Freshman
Kally Meredith and sophomore Kalaana Downing each added a run-scoring single in the win. Meredith drove in the Panthers' initial run of the contest in the bottom of the fourth before Downing opened the fifth-inning spurt with an RBI single that plated
Makayla Navarro.
In the win over Seton Hall, FIU fought back after falling behind 5-2 after five innings of action. Junior
Ashton Lansdell started the rally with a solo shot to center in the bottom of the fifth, trimming the deficit to 5-2.
The Panthers (10-10) took control in the bottom of the sixth.
Casey Goguts provided the first key hit with a two-run, two-out double that scored
Collier Peaden and Meredith, to make the score 5-4. Grossenbacher followed one hitter later with a two-run blast that put FIU for good at 6-5.
Meredith finished with three hits in the win over Seton Hall, while
Janelle Martinez also recorded a multiple hit performance with a double and a single – she also drew a walk.
FIU's
Sydney Birling (3-3) earned the win with 2.1 innings of one hit, shutout relief work. She struck out two.
UP NEXT
The Panthers continue play at the FIU Classic with a 12:30 p.m. matchup against North Dakota.
FIU will also play at either 3 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. against an opponent to be determined.
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
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram
(@FIUSoftball), Twitter (
@FIUSoftball), and Facebook (
Facebook.com/FIUSoftball) for all the latest FIU Softball news.
