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New Mexico State final score 2025-1
6
New Mexico State NMSU 17-13
8
Winner FIU FIU 23-8
New Mexico State NMSU
17-13
6
Final
8
FIU FIU
23-8
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
New Mexico State NMSU 1 0 0 3 0 2 0 6 8 1
FIU FIU 3 0 1 0 0 4 X 8 7 1

W: Kruger, Megan (4-1) L: BENNETT, Taryn (2-3)

Game Recap: Softball |

Grossenbacher's Two-Run Blast Helps Softball Topple NMSU In Series Opener

Streaking Panthers have now won 16 of their past 17 games.

MIAMI — The FIU softball team continued to perform in clutch situations on Friday, rallying with four runs in the sixth inning to produce an 8-6 win over New Mexico State at Felsberg Field.

With the result, the Panthers (23-8, 6-1 CUSA) have won five straight and 16 of their past 17 games. The Aggies fell to 17-13 overall and 4-3 in CUSA play.

The game-winning play came off the bat of Bailey Grossenbacher, who delivered a pinch-hit, two-run home run to give FIU a 7-6 lead in the bottom of the sixth. 

New Mexico State, which got a pair of solo home runs from Tamara Carranza and Desirae Spearman in the top half of the frame to take a 6-4 lead, gave up a leadoff walk to Paige Miller in the bottom half before Isabella Perez lined an RBI double to right center in the next at bat, scoring Miller to pull the Panthers within one.

After a pop out, Grossenbacher came up with one out and sent the first pitch she saw over the fence down the right field line. FIU added an insurance run when Kally Meredith walked, advanced to second on a Kendall Catherwood single, moved to third on a double steal and scored on an RBI groundout from Brooke McCann.

Megan Kruger, who entered the circle to get the final two outs in the top of the sixth after Spearman's home run, retired the Aggies 1-2-3 in the seventh to finish off the win.

New Mexico State struck first in the game with a two-out RBI single in the first, but Kennedy Byrd responded with a big, three-run blast to left center in the home half. Meredith walked and Catherwood was hit by a pitch to begin the rally, and both scored on the home run.
 
Gallery: (3-21-2025) SB vs New Mexico State | 3.21.25


FIU pushed its lead to three with a double steal in the third, which included Janelle Martinez swiping home, while Perez stole second. 

New Mexico State tied the game with three runs in the fourth off FIU's starter, Byrd, before chasing her in the sixth.

Overall, a balanced FIU offense saw the team's seven hits evenly distributed among seven players, highlighted by Byrd's 1-for-4, three-run home run and Grossenbacher's 1-for-1, two-run home run performances.

The other five hits came via McCann (1-for-3, 2B, R), Miller (1-for-1, R, BB), Perez (1-for-3, 2B, SB, RBI), Jensen Luke (1-for-2) and Catherwood (1-for-3, R, SB).

On top of those performances, Meredith drew three walks, scored twice and stole a base in four plate appearances from the leadoff spot. Martinez finished 0-for-2, but scored a run, swiped a bag and drew a walk, and Ciera Diaz scored once as a pinch runner. 

Kruger (W, 4-1) picked up the win in relief after retiring all five batters she faced.

FIU, which entered the game eighth nationally with 78 stolen bases, added four more on Friday. Meredith recorded her 24th of the season, which ranks eighth individually in the country.

NEXT UP
The two teams are slated to continue their three-game series on Saturday at 6 p.m.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIUSoftball), X (@FIUSoftball), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSoftball) for all the latest FIU Softball news.
 
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