MIAMI — Kendall Catherwood's two-run single in a 10-6 win over Toledo, and a six-run third inning in a 9-1 win over Saint Francis on Saturday highlighted two more victories for the FIU softball team (13-7) on the second day of the FIU Classic at Felsberg Field.

With the victories, FIU (13-7) pushed its winning streak to six. The Panthers will close out the weekend with matchups against Saint Francis at 11:30 a.m. and Toledo at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

TOLEDO
FIU and Toledo combined for all 16 runs over a three-inning stretch, turning a pitcher's duel into an offensive showcase.

After Toledo struck first with a single run in the top of the fourth, FIU answered back with an RBI single from Natalie Burns in the home half.

The visiting Rockets responded with a pair of runs, and the back-and-forth action continued as FIU plated three runs in the fifth, highlighted by RBI singles from Paige Miller and Sammy Zelenka.

Toledo chased FIU starter, Kennedy Byrd, in the sixth by pushing across three runs and opening up a 6-4 lead.

A resilient FIU squad, however, pushed across six runs in the home half.

After loading the bases with one out on a pair of singles and an error, the Panthers got a two-run single from Catherwood. Miller, who singled earlier in the rally, also scored on the play after another defensive error by Toledo.

Zelenka followed with a sacrifice fly, and Byrd slammed a solo shot - her first of the year - over the fence in center for a 9-6 lead. Toledo's third error of the inning plated the 10th run.

Brooke McNichols then entered in relief, pitching around a pair of singles for a scoreless frame, which sealed the victory.

Catherwood (3-for-4, two runs, two RBIs, one stolen base), Kally Meredith (2-for-4, two runs), Miller (2-for-4, two runs, one RBI) and Byrd (2-for-3, one double, one run, one RBI, one walk) led FIU offensively, while six others registered one hit in the 15-hit attack overall.

Caity Patterson (2-0) got the win in relief. 

SAINT FRANCIS
Catherwood completed her big offensive day with a three-RBI performance, helping the Panthers pick up a 9-1 win in six innings.

Catherwood (1-for-3, three RBIs, one run, one walk), Collier Peaden (2-for-3, two runs, one stolen base) and Meredith (2-for-4, two runs, one stolen base) led the Panthers offensively with two-hit performances.

Meanwhile, Megan Kruger (3-1) picked up the win, allowing just five hits, one walk and one run with two strikeouts over six frames.

The Panthers exploded for six runs in the third to take control. Peaden's leadoff single and stolen base eventually plated the first run on a fielder's choice groundout by McCann.

A bases loaded walk from Catherwood, a RBI grounder from Bailey Grossenbacher, an RBI hit by pitch from Janelle Martinez, an RBI groundout from Jensen Luke and a sacrifice fly from Grace Helbling rounded out the inning's scoring.

A fielder's choice RBI grounder from Miller, and an RBI groundout from Catherwood pushed across two more for FIU in the fourth.

After Saint Francis threatened to extend the game another inning with a single run in the top of the sixth, Catherwood's RBI single to left plated Miller with the walk-off run in the home half.

NEXT UP
The Panthers will close out the weekend with matchups against Saint Francis at 11:30 a.m. and Toledo at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

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