LAS CRUCES, N.M. — FIU's softball program, led by a strong outing in the circle from Brooke McNichols, downed New Mexico State 4-2 in Conference USA (CUSA) play on Sunday afternoon in the series finale. 

The Panthers (23-8, 5-4 CUSA) claimed the final game of their three-game set with the Aggies (16-16, 6-3 CUSA) with timely hitting and McNichols' dazzling pitching display. McNichols (4-1) delivered for FIU to avoid the series sweep, throwing a complete game while allowing just one earned run and striking out five on 116 pitches. 

Kennedy Byrd led the offensive effort with two hits and two RBI, launching a solo homer in third inning. Freshman Daley Alsobrook hit her first career homer earlier in the third inning. Janelle Martinez also had a good day at the plate with two hits and a run scored. 

FIU led wire-to-wire in the game, as Martinez doubled in the first and used smart baserunning to come around to score on the same play. Byrd and Alsobrook's solo homers in the third pushed the Panther advantage to three, ahead 3-0 after three. NMSU clawed back with one run in the bottom of the fifth, but Byrd provided an insurance run in the sixth for the Panthers with an RBI single, which scored Martinez to give FIU a 4-1 lead. 

McNichols allowed one run with two outs in the seventh as the Aggies pulled within two, but shut the door from there. She induced a flyout to right to finish off the 4-2 win with two Aggies on base. 

UP NEXT
FIU will host rival-Florida Atlantic in non-conference action on Wednesday, March 25 at 6 p.m. at Baptist Health Stadium. 

BAPTIST HEALTH
The 2026 FIU Softball season is presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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