MIAMI — FIU's softball program dropped its Conference USA (CUSA) series opener to Liberty, 7-2, on Friday evening at Baptist Health Stadium. 

After building an early advantage, the Panthers (28-15, 10-9 CUSA) fell to the Flames (21-22, 14-5 CUSA) as Liberty scored the game's final six runs, including a four-run seventh, to secure the five-run victory. Leah Clark went 1-for-3 and had the lone RBI for the Panthers, putting FIU ahead 1-0 in the first. 

Offensively, FIU had five hits as did Liberty, but the Panthers left 10 runners on base. In the circle, J'Dah Girigorie (7-6) suffered the defeat with 4.0 innings pitched and three runs surrendered. Kennedy Byrd came on in relief of Girigorie for the final 3.0 innings.

In the first inning, FIU loaded the bases with no outs before Clark was hit by a pitch to put the Panthers ahead. Liberty, however, escaped the frame without any further damage and answered with a solo homer in the top of the second to tie the score at 1-all.

With runners on second and third in the second, the Panthers regained the lead after a passed ball allowed Kendall Catherwood to race home, making the score 2-1 in FIU's favor. FIU held this advantage until the top of the fourth when the Flames pushed across two runs to go ahead for the first time, leading 3-2 after four innings. 

Both sides were held scoreless as the game progressed, but a crucial three-run homer for Liberty in the seventh helped the Flames build a cushion that proved to be the difference. FIU loaded the bases in the seventh, but the Flames got the final two outs to preserve the 7-2 win. 

UP NEXT
FIU and Liberty will play tomorrow, Saturday, April 18, at 4 p.m. in the second game of the three-game series. 

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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