LYNCHBURG, VA. --- Despite a record-setting night from Kally Meredith, the FIU softball team fell victim to a few key extra base hits on Friday in a 5-0 loss to No. 25 Liberty in the opener of a three-game series at Kamphuis Field at Liberty Softball Stadium.
 
Meredith, who walked and stole second based in the opening frame on Friday, became the first Panther in program history to reach 40 stolen bases in a season. Earlier this year, the sophomore joined Nicole Dubovik, who had 35 in 2003 and 30 in 2002, as the only two players since the program's inception to record 30 in a campaign.
 
FIU (29-20-1, 11-13-1 CUSA), which is attempting to earn one of the six seeds to the Conference USA tournament, remains in seventh place with the loss, just behind New Mexico State (13-12 CUSA) and Sam Houston (12-12 CUSA).
 
Liberty's Savannah Jessee and Brooke Roberts produced solo home runs in the third and fourth innings, respectively, to give their team a 2-0 lead.
 
The nationally ranked Flames (42-11, 21-3 CUSA) then added a few insurance runs in the fifth with a sacrifice fly and a two-run double off FIU starter, Kennedy Byrd.
 
Despite the team getting shut out, Meredith and Paige Miller tallied multiple hits, while Janelle Martinez and Collier Peaden had the other two knocks. Martinez combined with Meredith for the team's two stolen bases.
 
After Byrd (L, 11-12) went the first four-plus innings in the circle, Megan Kruger relieved her and tossed a pair of scoreless frames.
 
NEXT UP
Saturday's start time has been pushed up to 11 a.m. due to potential weather. The teams will conclude the series on Sunday at noon.
 
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