KENNESAW, GA. — The FIU softball team rallied for three runs in the seventh inning to stun Kennesaw State in a 4-2 victory on Friday night at Bailey Park.
In doing so, this year's Panther squad (20-8, 3-1 CUSA) became the third-fastest in program history to reach 20 wins, just behind the 2017 team (26 games) and the 2001 team (27 games).
After stranding eight runners on base, including four in scoring position, over the first six innings, FIU produced their three seventh-inning runs without the benefit of a hit.
Instead, they patiently drew five walks and took advantage of three wild pitches to push across what they needed to win.
With one out, Paige Miller and
Kendall Catherwood drew back-to-back walks. After a flyout that put Kennesaw State one out from victory,
Kennedy Byrd nearly had an extra-base hit deep down the left field line, but settled for working the at bat into a full-count and eventually drew a bases loaded walk.
Pinch hitter Isabella Perez followed with a game-tying walk. Then, with Janelle Martinez at bat, all three runners advanced as Catherwood slid across home for the go-ahead run on the inning's second wild pitch.
The inning's second pitching change led to the re-entry of starter, Kenley Hilleary, who tossed another wild pitch on her first delivery, which allowed pinch runner Lindsey Burroughs to come across with an insurance run.
Byrd then finished off her complete game in the bottom half, although Kennesaw State (9-18, 0-4 CUSA) made it interesting by putting a pair of runners in scoring position with two outs.
Byrd calmly struck out the final batter on three pitches, however.
The Panthers got their first run of the game on a two-out error in the fifth inning.
Offensively, FIU produced three hits in the game, including a pair from Kally Meredith in the leadoff spot. Miller scored two runs and drew a walk from the two-hole, while Catherwood went 1-for-2 with two walks and a run from the three spot.
Byrd (W, 9-5), who allowed single runs (one earned) in the second and fourth innings, produced her eighth complete game of the season while allowing five hits and four walks along with four strikeouts.
UP NEXT
FIU and Kennesaw State are slated to continue their three-game series on Saturday at 3 p.m. Impending bad weather is forecasted for Sunday's series finale, so there's a potential for a schedule change on Saturday.
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