MIAMI – Senior Janelle Martinez scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh as the FIU softball team rallied for a 4-3 walk-off victory over Indiana in the season opener for both teams on Thursday night in Miami.
 
The winning run was aided by a pair of Indiana errors in the bottom of the seventh after sophomore Kendall Catherwood and junior Kennedy Byrd led off the frame with consecutive singles.  Graduate Bailey Grossenbacher then reached on the first Hoosier miscue of the frame to load the bases with no outs. 
 
Martinez then followed with a grounder to third and Indiana cut the initial runner down at home before Indiana catcher Avery Parker attempted to cut down Martinez at first for the double play – but her throw sailed down the right field line allowing Byrd to score from second with the winning run.
 
Byrd was also stellar in the circle in her debut for the Panthers – picking up the complete game win after scattering eight hits and allowing three runs.  She struck out five and walked three over seven innings.
 
The Panthers battled back to tie the game on two different occasions before claiming their first lead on the clinching run in the seventh.
 
Indiana opened the scoring by claiming a 2-0 lead in the top of the third on a two-out, two-run double by Parker to right center.  The inning was set up by a pair of singles by the Hoosiers and a walk.
 
Back-to-back singles by Collier Peaden and Kally Meredith led to a FIU run in the bottom of the third.  Meredith stole second and advanced to third on a fielder's choice before crossing on an RBI groundout by Catherwood to trim the margin to 2-1.
 
Peaden tied it up at 2-2 with a clutch two-out base hit to left in the bottom of the fourth that plated Martinez, who reached earlier via a walk.
 
The Hoosiers answered with a run in the top half of the fifth on a run-scoring single with two out by Sarah Stone, to put them back in front 3-2.
 
The Panthers battled back to once again deadlock the score, this time at 3-3, following a sacrifice fly from Martinez.
 
FIU finished the contest with eight hits – and Meredith, Byrd and Peaden each finished with a pair of knocks in the win.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers return to action on Friday, Feb. 7 with a showdown against Iowa State beginning at approximately 5:30 p.m. in the final of three games on day two of the Felsberg Invitational.
 
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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