MIAMI — Despite mounting a rally from four runs down, the FIU softball team suffered a 5-4 loss to Louisiana Tech in the series finale on Sunday at Felsberg Field, slipping back into a tie for second place in the conference standings.
 
The Panthers (29-14, 11-7) are knotted with Louisiana Tech (25-18, 11-7) and Sam Houston (23-21, 11-7) in the Conference USA standings, while Jacksonville State (10-8), New Mexico State (9-9) and Middle Tennessee (9-9) aren't far behind.
 
Louisiana Tech took a four-run lead with a run in the fourth and three more in the fifth, but FIU responded quickly a half inning later.
 
Sammy Zelenka and Kally Meredith singled, and Kendall Catherwood was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out.
 
Paige Miller followed by reaching on an RBI fielder's choice. She then stole second, where she remained as Kennedy Byrd drew a walk to re-load the bases.
 
Bailey Grossenbacher proceeded to smash a line drive, bases-clearing double to right center to tie the game at four.
 
After a walk and a stolen base from Janelle Martinez put two in scoring position, FIU had a chance to take the lead, but a fly out ended the rally.
 
Louisiana Tech re-took the lead on an RBI groundout in the sixth, which proved to be the decisive run as FIU went down 1-2-3 in the sixth and seventh innings.
 
Byrd (L, 11-8) took the loss, striking out two in six-plus innings. Brooke McNichols retired all three batters she faced in the seventh after relieving Byrd, who allowed a leadoff walk.
 
Offensively, Byrd had her six-game hitting streak snapped, although she contributed with a walk and a run. With her 2-for-4, one-run performance, Meredith has recorded at least one hit in 10 of the past 12 games.
 
Grossenbacher's three RBIs was a season-high, and it was her fourth multi-RBI effort of the campaign.
 
Miller finished 0-for-2, but walked twice and produced a run and an RBI. She has hits in 11 of the past 13 games, including six multi-hit games.
 
UP NEXT
FIU travels to UTEP next weekend and Liberty May 2-4, sandwiched around a home series against Western Kentucky April 25-27.

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