MIAMI — Middle Tennessee powered its way to a 12-1 win over the FIU softball team on Saturday night at Felsberg Field, putting an end to an 11-game winning streak for the Panthers.

The visiting Blue Raiders (9-13, 1-1 CUSA) used five doubles and three home runs to produce the victory, busting open a one-run game with 10 runs over the final three innings. 

The Panthers (18-8, 1-1 CUSA) saw the game's momentum swing in the fourth inning. 

After Sammy Zelenka delivered FIU's lone run with an RBI single to right center, FIU loaded the bases with one out, but a strikeout and a groundout ended the threat as Middle Tennessee stayed ahead, 2-1.

The Blue Raiders then used that momentum to produce a two-out, two-run double from Jana Want in the top of the fifth. 

A solo home run from Ansley Blevins and a two-run double from Anyce Harvey highlighted a four-run sixth. Middle Tennessee added a three-run home run from Lexi Medlock in the seventh.

Kally Meredith recorded FIU's lone multi-hit performance, finishing 2-for-4 with a stolen base, while Bailey Grossenbacher (1-for-3, R), Kennedy Byrd (1-for-2, BB), Zelenka (1-for-3, RBI), Janelle Martinez (1-for-3, 2B) and Collier Peaden (1-for-3) added a hit apiece.

Brooke McNichols (L, 6-2) took the loss, striking out four over the first 5.1 innings. Caity Patterson pitched the final 1.2 innings, striking out one.

UP NEXT
FIU will conclude its three-game series with Middle Tennessee on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Panthers travel to Kennesaw State for a series next weekend.

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