MIAMI – The FIU softball team fell behind early and battled back before eventually dropping a 6-5 decision to Jacksonville State on Saturday afternoon in the middle game of a Conference USA series.
 
Jax State jumped in front with three runs in the top of the first, all of which came with two outs.  Morgan Nowakowski laced a triple down the right field line to score a pair, before Ashley Phillips followed with a double to right that plated the third run of the frame.
 
The Gamecocks extended the lead to 4-0 with another two-out run in the top of the fourth.  Kenzie Nicholson hit a single up the middle to score Phillips.
 
Janelle Martinez got the Panthers within 4-2 in the bottom of the fourth with a double to deep right center that scored both Zamya McBurrows and Bailey Grossenbacher.  Ashton Lansdell followed with a two-out double down the left field line that brough home Martinez to make the score 4-3.
 
Jacksonville State increased the lead to 6-3 with two runs in the sixth as it capitalized on a pair of leadoff walks.  Nicholson drove in the first run on a sacrifice fly and Ella Pate ripped a double to left for the second tally.
 
FIU battled back once again in the bottom of the sixth as it loaded the bases with two outs following a walk and two singles – and came away with a pair of runs to make the score 6-5 after a single to center by Kally Meredith which plated Lansdell and Jianna Simonet.
 
Ella Whitney (2-4) took the loss for the Panthers after allowing four earned runs and six hits over four innings.  Alina Varga pitched the final three innings of relief.
 
Meredith and Martinez each finished with two hits and a pair of RBI to pace the FIU offense.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers (16-25, 4-12 CUSA) conclude the weekend set with Jacksonville State (19-24, 8-8 CUSA) on Sunday, April 21 at 1 p.m. ET.
 
Sunday's contest will air 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.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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