MIAMI --- A pair of solo home runs doomed the FIU softball team in a 2-0 series-opening loss to Western Kentucky on Friday night at Felsberg Field.
 
With the outcome, FIU (29-18, 11-11) slipped to sixth place in the Conference USA standings, while WKU (26-19, 11-10) jumped into fifth place.
 
Middle Tennessee (23-24, 10-11) sits closely behind in seventh, while New Mexico State (22-24, 9-12) is eighth.
 
Only the top six teams make the postseason tournament, and five games remain in the regular season.
 
WKU's Kendle White hit a pair of solo home runs, the first to lead off the game, and the second with two outs in the second inning, to help produce the game's only runs.
 
Kennedy Byrd (L, 11-11) pitched the first six innings for FIU, stranding eight runners over the stretch. That included the first and sixth innings, where she escaped bases loaded jams.
 
The second of those jams saw Kally Meredith make a nice running catch in center for the third out.
 
Megan Kruger pitched the seventh, allowing just one walk.
 
Offensively, FIU had opportunities early, but couldn't push across any runs.
 
Bailey Grossenbacher and Sammy Zelenka singled in the second inning, but each were stranded.
 
Collier Peaden singled in the second, but was erased on a fielder's choice from Meredith, who stole second before being stranded.
 
Janelle Martinez singled with two outs in the fourth but didn't advance.
 
After that Martinez single, WKU starter Rylan Smith picked up the third out. Erica Houge then entered and retired all nine batters she faced over the final three frames.
 
UP NEXT
Saturday's game against Western Kentucky will begin at 6 p.m. while Sunday's series finale is slated for 11 a.m.

After this weekend, FIU concludes the regular season with a road series at Liberty May 2-4.
 
The Conference USA Championship will be May 7-10 in Bowling Green, Ky.

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