MIAMI – The FIU softball team punched out a total of 12 hits, including eight extra-base hits as it rallied from a three-run deficit to lead late before falling by a 11-10 margin in the finale of a three-game series at Western Kentucky on Sunday afternoon.
 
FIU took a 10-7 lead with a five-run sixth inning, before the Hilltoppers posted three runs in the bottom of the sixth and the game-winning home run in a bottom of the seventh – a solo shot to left by Annie White.
 
The Panthers (13-17, 1-5 CUSA) trailed a total of three times in the contest, only to battle back to tie or take the lead each time.  FIU started the game's scoring when freshman Zamya McBurrows led off the game with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly from Ashton Lansdell.
 
Western Kentucky (18-8-1, 5-1 CUSA) tied the game on an unearned run in the bottom half of the first and followed with three runs in the third – the big blow coming on a two-run homer by Cheyanne Sales – to open a 4-1 edge.
 
The Panthers tied the game with a two-out rally in the fourth that saw Janelle Martinez, Ella Whitney and McBurrows all rip doubles – scoring three runs in total to deadlock the score at 4-4.
 
The Hilltoppers once again jumped out in front by a 5-4 count in the bottom of the fourth when White crossed on a wild pitch, but once again the Panthers answered as Bailey Grossenbacher launched her fourth round tripper of the season in the top of the fifth to once again even the score at 5-5.
 
Western Kentucky tacked on a pair of scores in the bottom of the fifth to open a 7-5 edge and then the FIU offense got rolling in the sixth.
 
Martinez got things rolling with a double, her third of the game, before she was driven home on an RBI single by Kally Meredith.  Isabella Perez followed with a clutch double that split the gap in right center and brought home a pair to pit the Panthers in front 8-7.  FIU added two more scores on a WKU error that plated Grossenbacher and Perez.
 
Western Kentucky tied the game at 10-10 with three runs in the sixth before White's decisive homer in the seventh.
 
FIU used a total of three pitchers in the contest, while WKU also utilized three different pitchers in the circle.
 
A total of five Panthers finished the contest with multiple hits – including a team-high three by Martinez – all doubles.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers (13-17, 1-5 CUSA) host Florida Atlantic in a 6 p.m. start on Tuesday, March 19 at Felsberg Field.
 
The game will be broadcast 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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