LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Down to its final strike in the top of the seventh, the FIU softball team rallied with a pair of runs to claim a 6-5 lead before eventually falling by a 9-6 margin at New Mexico State in the opening game of a weekend Conference USA series on Friday night.
 
Ella Whitney and Ashton Lansdell provided clutch run-scoring hits with two outs in the top of the seventh to flip a 5-4 deficit into a 6-5 FIU advantage before the Aggies responded with four runs in the bottom of the seventh – the key blow coming on a three-run homer to left by Riley Carley.
 
The game was back and forth throughout as the lead changed hands five times.  New Mexico State opened the scoring in the bottom of the first on a RBI double by Dezianna Patmon.  FIU claimed its first lead in the top of the second on a pair of run-scoring singles by Zamya McBurrows and Lansdell.
 
The Aggies reclaimed the advantage at 3-2 with a pair of runs in the third – which were aided by a pair of Panther errors.
 
Bailey Grossenbacher, who finished with a team-best three hits, tied the contest at 3-3 with a single that plated Lindsey Burroughs in the fifth.  Jillian Taylor blasted a two-run homer for New Mexico State in the bottom of the fifth, to put the Aggies back in front 5-3.
 
Kally Meredith slapped a shot to third in the sixth – allowing Lansdell to score and get the Panthers within striking distance at 5-4.
 
The Panthers finished the contest with 11 hits – the third time in the last five games they have recorded a double-figure hit total.  FIU stranded a total of 10 runners on base in the loss despite hitting .333 with runners in scoring position.
 
Alina Varga (4-6) took the loss for the Panthers after allowing six runs and five hits over 4.1 innings of relief. 
 
Desirae Spearman (7-2) went the distance in earning the win for New Mexico State.  Scattering 11 hits and allowing six runs, five of which were earned. 
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers (16-21, 4-8 CUSA) continue the weekend set at New Mexico State (22-17, 8-5 CUSA) on Saturday, April 13 at 6 p.m. ET.
 
Saturday's contest vs. the Aggies will air 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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