KENNESAW, GA. — Kennedy Byrd became just the fourth individual to toss a solo, seven-inning no-hit shutout in FIU softball history - and the first since 2001 - as the Panthers swept Kennesaw State with a 7-0 victory on the road Sunday at Bailey Park.

Byrd's performance signified the 12th overall no-hitter since the program's inception in 1998. She joins Erin McCutcheon, Leah Barnes, Mila Nelson and Jennifer Gniadek as the only players with a solo, seven-inning no-hitter, and she joins McCutcheon, Barnes and Nelson as the only ones to do it without allowing a run. 

Nelson's no-hit, seven-inning shutout on April 20, 2001 was the last such performance for FIU until Byrd on Sunday. Gniadek's no-hitter against Middle Tennessee on April 10, 2009 was the last time a Panther produced a solo, seven-inning no-hitter, although she allowed one run.

The duo of Shelby Graves and Shelbie Wagnon tossed a combined no-hitter over seven innings on Feb. 22, 2013, which was the only other seven-inning no-hitter in program history.

Byrd (W, 10-5), who allowed three walks and struck out four, is also the first Panther to record a no-hitter since Megan Kruger did it over five innings against Stonehill College on March 3, 2023.

Sunday's victory over Kennesaw State gives FIU (22-8, 5-1) its first Conference USA sweep since three straight over UTEP May 5-7, 2023.

The team's 30-game start is also the best since the 2017 team opened 24-6.

FIU Softball All-Time No-Hitters

Date	Pitcher	Opponent	Length
April 18, 1998	Erin McCutcheon*	Campbell	7 innings
Feb. 2, 2001	Leah Barnes	Palm Beach Atlantic	7 innings
April 20, 2001	Mila Nelson	Louisiana Tech	7 innings
March 8, 2003	Kendra Laminack	Providence	5 innings
March 18, 2003	Nicole Barrett	Manhattan	5 innings
April 10, 2009	Jennifer Gniadek**	Middle Tennessee	7 innings
Feb. 22, 2013	Shelby Graves/Shelbie Wagnon*	Hartford	7 innings
May 3, 2014	Shelby Graves	Southern Miss	5 innings
Feb. 27, 2016	Megan Kuglemann	Central Connecticut St.	6 innings
March 5, 2016	Megan Kuglemann	Florida A&M	6 innings
March 3, 2023	Megan Kruger	Stonehill College	5 innings
March 16, 2025	Kennedy Byrd	Kennesaw State	7 innings

* perfect game
** opponent scored at least one run
*** Feb. 22, 2013 was a combined no-hitter

FIU's offensive performance on Sunday was highlighted by a grand slam from Janelle Martinez, which capped a five-run third inning. Byrd opened the scoring with an RBI single through the left side.

In the fifth, the Panthers added two more runs.

The first came when Martinez slid home on a double steal. McCann, who stole second on that same play, then touched home plate on an RBI single from Collier Peaden in the next at bat.

Byrd led the Panthers in hits, finishing 2-for-4 with one run and one RBI. 

Aside from her, Peaden and Martinez, the trio of Kally Meredith (1-for-4, R, BB, 2 SB), Kendall Catherwood (1-for-4, BB) and Bailey Grossenbacher (1-for-3, R, BB) recorded the rest of FIU's seven hits. 

Ciera Diaz also scored a run.

UP NEXT
FIU returns to Felsberg Field on Friday for a three-game Conference USA series against New Mexico State (17-12, 4-2).

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