JACKSONVILLE, ALA. — A five-run third inning for Jacksonville State doomed the FIU softball team in a 7-5 loss on the road at Jana McGinnis Field Friday night.

The matchup represented the series opener for the Panthers (24-10, 7-3 CUSA), who will face the Gamecocks in a doubleheader on Saturday to conclude the series, beginning at 1 p.m.

Despite the loss, Paige Miller's offensive performance highlighted the night as the third baseman finished 3-for-4 with a run, a pair of RBIs and two triples. 

The second one of those three-baggers came in the seventh, which scored Lindsey Burroughs and brought the potential tying run to the plate, but a strikeout ended the game.

Kennedy Byrd also had a solid night at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs, a run and a walk.

In the third inning, Byrd delivered a two-run single to tie the game at two, and Miller's first triple came in the next at bat, which gave FIU a 3-2 lead.

Jacksonville State, however, responded with a pair of doubles and a home run among a six-hit, five-run bottom half of the third that gave the Gamecocks a four-run advantage.

Prior to Miller's second triple, Natalie Burns had an RBI single in the sixth inning, scoring Janelle Martinez for FIU's fourth run of the night.

Outside of Miller, Byrd and Burns, who combined for six of FIU's eight hits, the duo of Kally Meredith (1-for-3, R) and Martinez (1-for-4) provided the other two base knocks. Collier Peaden scored the other run.

Byrd (L, 10-6) took the loss in the circle, striking out one over 2.2 innings. 

Megan Kruger went the rest of the way, tossing 3.1 scoreless and hitless frames. She allowed three walks and struck out three.

NOTES
Miller's performance was her second three-hit game of the season, as well as her second-straight multi-hit performance and 10th such outing of the campaign.

The team's leader in batting average (.373), Miller also has hits in four straight and five of the past six.

Byrd's multi-hit outing was her sixth of the season.

Meredith had her five-game streak of at least one stolen base snapped. She had produced eight swipes over that stretch. The speedster, however, now has at least one hit in 11 of her past 12 games.

UP NEXT
The Panthers will conclude the three-game series with a doubleheader against Jacksonville State on Saturday, which begins at 1 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.