MIAMI — FIU's softball program downed Harvard and Fordham via walk-off victories on Friday, opening the FIU Classic with a 2-0 record.
The Panthers (15-3) notched a seventh-inning sudden victory over Harvard, courtesy of a walk-off hit from Daley Alsobrook, to open the day with a 6-5 triumph. In the nightcap, FIU defeated Fordham 9-1 in five innings behind a homer from Kennedy Byrd and a strong outing from J'dah Girigorie, who struck out nine.
HARVARD
FIU held a 5-1 lead after the first inning, gaining the early momentum with some key extra-base hits. First, the Panthers, who surrendered a run in the first to the Crimson, used a Byrd RBI double to tie the score at 1-all. With two outs, FIU knocked out three-straight hits, of which was capped by a three-run homer from Isabella Perez, her second of the season. In the frame, Janelle Martinez doubled to score Byrd and Paige Miller singled to follow that, setting up Perez' big swing.
Harvard responded, however, with four combined runs in the second and third innings to tie the game at 5-all. Meagan Villazon (3-0) came on in relief of the starter Byrd in the third and quieted the Crimson bats, with seven strikeouts in 5.0 innings, allowing just one earned run. FIU also struggled to get anything going offensively as both sides were held scoreless through the middle innings.
In the bottom of the seventh with the score deadlocked at 5-all, Kally Meredith found a way on with a one-out single to left. Meredith then showed her base-running prowess, stealing second and advancing to third on the resulting errant throw. In the next at-bat, Daley Alsobrook chopped a single on the infield and Meredith came sliding in safely at home to give FIU the 6-5 win.
Meredith had three hits to lead the offense. As team, FIU had nine hits and left just three runners on base. Villazon's seven strikeouts are the most for the freshman pitcher this season.
FORDHAM
Girigorie (4-2) came out firing with two swinging strikeouts in the first inning, setting down Fordham scoreless. FIU's offense started fast once again with two runs in the first to go up 2-0. Leah Clark gave the Panthers an early advantage with an RBI single and then came around to score on a passed ball.
After two more strikeouts from Girigorie in the second, Byrd delivered a three-run homer to give FIU a 5-0 lead after two innings. Kendall Catherwood allowed the Panthers to tack on one more in the third via sacrifice fly, scoring Paige Miller who led off the inning with a bunt single. Fordham pushed one across in the fifth, but Girigorie continued to mow down Ram hitters, striking out nine in 5.0 innings.
Needing three fifth-inning runs, the Panthers finished off the run-rule victory with three hits in the frame. Chloe Bedwell led off the inning with a bunt single, which was followed by a walk from Kaleena Downing. Perez lifted a deep fly into foul territory in right, scoring Bedwell on a sacrifice fly. Downing came around to score in the next at-bat as Grace Helbling walked and Downing scored on the ball-four wild pitch. Following back-to-back FIU hits, Zamya McBurrows put the ball in play with one out, scoring Helbling for the game-winning run.
Meredith had another two hits in the second game, collecting five hits on the day. Leah Clark also had two hits and stole a base, continuing her perfect run of 11-for-11 in stolen base attempts. Girigorie matched a season-high with nine strikeouts.
UP NEXT
The Panthers will take on South Dakota at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 28 to conclude the Round Robin portion of the FIU Classic. With a win, FIU will then appear in the 5:30 p.m. game tomorrow night as the tournament's one-seed against the four-seed, which is still to be determined.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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