EL PASO, TEXAS --- The FIU softball team digested a 16-6 loss to UTEP on the road inside the Helen of Troy Softball Complex Saturday afternoon as the Miners totaled seven extra base hits, including four home runs.
 
With the defeat, FIU (29-17, 11-10) slipped to fifth place in the Conference USA standings, one half-game ahead of Western Kentucky (10-10) and one game ahead of Middle Tennessee (10-11).
 
FIU's Kennedy Byrd, who finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a run, got the Panthers started in strong fashion with a two-run home run in the first inning.
 
UTEP responded with six runs in the home half off Byrd, but the Panthers kept the offense going with three more runs in the second.
 
Kally Meredith started the scoring with an RBI single to right. Paige Miller followed with a bases loaded walk, and Byrd picked up her third RBI with an infield single to short that pulled FIU within one.
 
Both teams settled down for a bit until the fourth when UTEP chased Byrd during a five-run frame.
 
Down six, FIU got a run back in the top of the fifth with Bailey Grossenbacher's fielder's choice RBI. The Panthers, however, stranded the bases loaded for the second time as their rally ended.
 
Megan Kruger, who relieved Byrd in the middle of the fourth, allowed a bases loaded walk in the fifth before Bri Garcia's grand slam walked it off for the Miners.
 
UTEP's Garcia finished 3-for-3 with six RBIs and three runs, a stat line highlighted by a pair of home runs. Kenna Carranza also homered while finishing 1-for-2 with five RBIs, two runs and two walks. Marissa Burchard hit the fourth home run and finished 2-for-4 with three runs and three RBIs.
 
Aside from Byrd, three others had multiple hits for FIU. Miller was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk, while Brooke McCann was 2-for-2 with a run and a walk. Jensen Luke went 2-for-2 with a double and a run.
 
UTEP (19-24, 8-13) has now won four in a row after dropping five straight.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers will return to Felsberg Field this weekend for their home finale against Western Kentucky, beginning with a 6 p.m. matchup on Friday.
 
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