MIAMI — FIU's softball program notched a victory in Game One of its three-game Conference USA (CUSA) series on Thursday night, downing Kennesaw State, 7-2. 

Behind a strong pitching performance from Brooke McNichols and timely hitting from the FIU offense, the Panthers (24-12, 6-7 CUSA) got back to their winning ways on Thursday night with a five-run win over the visiting-Owls (7-26, 3-10 CUSA). FIU led wire-to-wire in the game after taking a three-run lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. 

McNichols (5-2) pitched her third-consecutive complete game in the circle, surrendering just four hits and two earned runs on an efficient 85 pitches. Paige Miller and Janelle Martinez both delivered two-RBI singles to pace the offensive effort. Kennedy Byrd finished with two hits and an RBI. Isabella Perez also had two hits, including a double to left field in the second inning. 

Both sides were held scoreless in their first three at-bats as the starting pitchers were very effective early on. The Panthers turned the tides in fourth, however, as Martinez reached base to lead off the inning. Following back-to-back singles from Leah Clark and Kendall Catherwood to load the bases, Miller put FIU ahead with a two-run single up the middle. In the next at-bat, the Panthers used some tricky base running to pull off a double steal with Catherwood stealing home in the process to go up 3-0 after four innings. 

McNichols' lone blemish came in the top of the sixth as KSU launched a two-run homer to left, getting back within a run, down 3-2 headed to the bottom of the sixth. The Panther offense struck for four in the bottom half, however, to distance itself from the Owls for good. Zamya McBurrows returned to the lineup and provided an RBI single to start the scoring in the frame. Byrd then delivered a sacrifice fly which was then followed by a two-run single from Martinez to give FIU a commanding 7-2 lead before the Owls' final at-bat. 

McNichols then retired the side in order for the fifth time in the game to finish off the win for FIU, snapping a four-game losing streak. 

UP NEXT
The Panthers take on the Owls for Game Two of the series, tomorrow, Friday, April 3 at 4 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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