MIAMI --- Janelle Martinez hammered a three-run home run, and Kally Meredith produced the game-winning hit in the sixth as the FIU softball team (28-13, 10-6) defeated Louisiana Tech, 6-5, on Friday at Felsberg Field.
 
With the victory, the Panthers moved into a tie for second place in the Conference USA standings with Louisiana Tech (24-17, 10-6). Liberty (34-8, 13-1) remains in first place.
 
With the game knotted at five apiece, FIU had runners on second and third with two outs in the sixth after Bailey Grossenbacher and Natalie Burns were both hit by the pitch.
 
That's when Meredith lined an RBI single up the middle on an 0-1 pitch to give FIU the winning margin.
 
Kennedy Byrd (W, 11-7) then finished off a complete game victory with a 1-2-3 seventh inning. The former JUCO star allowed six hits and four walks while striking out one.
 
 
Earlier in the game, it was Meredith's speed that helped FIU initiate a four-run first inning. Her speed forced a bobble and an errant throw, resulting in a multi-error play to open the frame, and Kendall Catherwood followed with an RBI double.
 
After a single from Paige Miller, Martinez sent a 2-2 pitch over the fence in left for a 4-0 lead.
 
Louisiana Tech answered back with two-run frames in the second and third innings, although Byrd seized the momentum right back for the Panthers with a solo home run in the home half of the third.
 
Reagan Marchant's solo blast for the Bulldogs in the fifth then set up the winning heroics from FIU in the sixth.
 
FIU saw the top five and six of their first seven batters in the lineup cross the plate. Meredith (2-for-4, R, RBI) had the lone multi-hit performance.
 
NEXT UP
Both teams will meet for the second game of the series on Saturday night at 6 p.m. They'll wrap up the three-game set on Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
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