MIAMI — FIU softball's strong pitching carried the Panthers to two 6-0 victories over Stony Brook and Lehigh on Saturday at the Felsberg Invitational.
Day Three of FIU's home invite was much like the first two days as the Panther (5-0) pitching staff was extremely effective, allowing zero runs over 14.0 innings. FIU is now 5-0 for the first time since the 2001 season, when the Panthers started 8-0 and finished with 44 wins.
Brooke McNichols (1-0) pitched a gem in the opener against the Seawolves of Stony Brook, throwing a complete game, two-hitter while striking out three. J'dah Grigorie (2-0) then delivered another dominant performance in the nightcap against Lehigh, fanning five batters and scattering just six hits on 66 pitches. Grigorie's 66 pitches are the least by an FIU pitcher in a seven-inning complete game since
FIU's offense struck early in both games to provide a cushion for the Panther staff as FIU scored all six runs against Stony Brook in the first four innings and all six against Lehigh in the first three innings. Zamya McBurrows led the way with two doubles and four combined hits and RBI on the day.
Adding to the offensive effort, Isabella Perez launched a two-run homer against Lehigh, her first of the season. Kennedy Byrd took full advantage of a day off from the circle with two doubles and three total hits, adding two RBI.
Stony Brook
From the start, FIU staked McNichols to a comfortable lead, posting a three-run first inning. Sammy Zelenka started the scoring with an RBI single, scoring Kally Meredith. Byrd then roped a double to center field, scoring McBurrows. A sacrifice bunt from Paige Miller then brought Byrd home, putting the Panthers up 3-0 after one.
McBurrows batted again in the second and lined a double down the third base line to bring home Janelle Martinez. FIU tacked on another in the third as Leah Clark picked up her sixth RBI of the season with an RBI single that gave the Panthers a 5-0 lead. The final run came courtesy of a McBurrows hit, which allowed Meredith to slide in safely for the 6-0 advantage.
The six runs were plenty for McNichols, who had Stony Brook hitters off balance all afternoon. McNichols ended her outing with a final line of 7.0 innings pitched, one walk and three strikeouts with 79 pitches. This is the first complete game shutout for the senior pitcher since a start against Bradley on Feb. 28, 2025.
Lehigh
Against the Mountain Hawks, a similar script was in store for FIU. The Panthers again spotted their starter Grigorie an early lead with Byrd plating Meredith in the first inning. In the second, a Kendall Catherwood RBI double put the Panthers up 2-0. McBurrows then followed that with another clutch hit, hammering a pitch to the wall for two more FIU runs.
After a two-out single from Paige Miller in the third, Isabella Perez launched a pitch over the right field wall for the 6-0 lead. FIU made several changes in the fifth and sixth and two substitutes Jensen Luke and Grace Helbling each singled in the sixth inning. Helbling's was the first of her FIU career.
Grigorie faced the minimum in five of seven innings, allowing just one extra base hit on the evening. She ended another stellar appearance with a complete game, three-hitter, striking out five with just 66 pitches.
UP NEXT
FIU will have a rematch against ACC-foe Louisville tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 8, at 11:30 a.m., pending the end of the opening game, of which will air on ESPN+.
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