MIAMI – FIU starting pitcher Alina Varga held down Liberty for the opening five innings before allowing a solo home run to leadoff the top of the sixth to the Flames' Hailey Deter in an eventual 2-1 setback for the Panthers in the Conference USA opener for both teams at Felsberg Field on Friday night.
 
Varga had limited the Flames to just two hits over the initial five innings of play before the decisive homer by Deter.
 
Liberty (10-10, 1-0 CUSA) opened the scoring in the top of the second on a sacrifice fly that scored Megan Fortner, who led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a steal.
 
The Panthers tied the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the third with a sacrifice fly of their own by Makayla Navarro that plated Kaleena Downing after she opened the frame with a double.
 
FIU (11-13, 0-1 CUSA) finished with a total of four hits in the contest – with Downing recording a pair including her the first double of her collegiate career.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers continue the three-game CUSA series with Liberty on Saturday, March 9 in a 1 p.m. ET start at Felsberg Field.
 
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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