MIAMI — FIU's softball program defeated Sam Houston 9-1 in five innings on Saturday in Conference USA (CUSA) play, securing both the series victory and a berth to the 2026 CUSA Tournament with the win.
The Panthers (31-16, 13-10 CUSA) plated eight combined runs in the fourth and fifth innings to cruise past the Bearkats (29-22, 13-10 CUSA) in a mercy-rule victory. FIU was led by Janelle Martinez, who provided the walk-off hit, and finished the day with two hits and four RBI. In the circle, Kennedy Byrd (W, 8-6) was extremely effective, pitching 5.0 innings while scattering seven hits and allowing just one earned run.
Byrd also added an RBI at the plate as Leah Clark, Kaleena Downing and Paige Miller each had an RBI in the game. Miller posted a 2-for-3 afternoon with a run scored and an RBI. As a team, FIU pounded out 11 hits and added six walks, getting baserunners on in every inning. Additionally, every player in FIU's lineup collected at least one hit today.
Sam Houston opened the game with three first inning hits, including an RBI double, to stake the Bearkats to a 1-0 advantage. FIU answered immediately in the bottom half, however as Clark singled in Kally Meredith to even the score at 1-all after one.
Following two scoreless frames from each team, the Panthers began to pull away in the fourth, loading the bases with three-straight hits to open the inning. With one out, Miller raced home on an errant throw to give FIU the lead, 2-1. Byrd then walked in a run to make it 3-1, bringing Martinez to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. In the next at-bat, Martinez chopped a ball over the third baseman's head into left field for a two RBI double, adding to the Panther advantage. Miller delivered an RBI infield single a short time later, capping FIU's five run fourth inning.
Byrd shut down Sam Houston again in the top of the fifth, setting the stage for the walk-off win. Up 6-1 heading in the bottom of the fifth, the Panthers got their first two runners on board. Downing had a bunt single to score Zamya McBurrows from third, putting FIU up 7-1. Martinez then came to the plate with one out and the bases loaded later in the inning and lined a single off the pitcher that went into left field, scoring two to send the Panthers home with the sudden victory.
FIU's 31 wins on the season are now the most for the program since the 2017 season.
UP NEXT
The series finale between FIU and Sam Houston will take place tomorrow, Sunday, April 26 at 11 a.m. Senior Day festivities will begin at 10:40 a.m., honoring FIU's 2026 Senior Class.
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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