BOCA RATON – Facing the nation's 25th-ranked team, FIU softball saw host Florida Atlantic jump out to an early 4-0 lead Wednesday night from Joan Joyce Field at FAU Softball Stadium en route to a tough 5-1 setback.
 
After a scoreless 1st inning, the Owls (10-2) used a four-run 2nd inning to propel themselves to a win in the first of two scheduled meetings between the South Florida foes this season. Aside from that 2nd frame, the Panthers (6-5) played the country's top-ranked mid-major team according to D1Softball level the rest of the tilt.
 
Kally Meredith paced the offensive efforts for FIU by accounting for the only run scored to go along with a pair of hits out of the lead-off position, keeping her batting average well north of .400 in the season's third week.
 
Brooke McCann was responsible for an RBI and a base hit, while Janelle Martinez and Paige Miller collected a hit for the Panthers, who also stole three bases – upping their season total to 24 and moving into the top 15 in the country in that category.
 
Caity Patterson (0-1) got the start in the circle for FIU, tossing four complete innings and allowing three earned runs (five overall) on seven hits while striking out one. Kennedy Byrd entered in relief and threw two no-hit innings, with the only two base runners reaching via a fielding error and a walk.
 
Following the aforementioned 4-0 start for the Owls, the Panthers responded in their next at bat as McCann's two-out single to center field in the 3rd inning scored Meredith, who had led off the inning with a bunt single.
 
The Owls threatened to extend their 4-1 lead in the 3rd, but Patterson worked her way out of a self-induced jam with two walks, stranding two with a fly out to center to close the frame.
 
However, Florida Atlantic tacked on an unearned run in the 4th to take a 5-1 edge, which ended up serving as the final score line.
 
NEXT UP
FIU returns home to host its second of three tournaments in four weeks to begin the season this Friday-Sunday for the Panther Invitational. The Panthers will host Iowa and Lafayette from Felsberg Field at FIU Softball Stadium, and below is the full tournament schedule (times subject to change):
 
Friday, Feb. 21
12:30 PM: Lafayette @ FIU
3 PM: Lafayette vs. Iowa
5:30 PM: Iowa @ FIU
 
Saturday, Feb. 22
12:30 PM: Iowa @ FIU
3 PM: Iowa vs. Lafayette
5:30 PM: Lafayette @ FIU
 
Sunday, Feb. 23
10 AM: Lafayette @ FIU
 
For tickets to the Panther Invitational, please visit FIUTickets.com.
 
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