MIAMI — FIU's softball program won its second-consecutive game over Kennesaw State in Conference USA (CUSA) play on Friday evening, downing the Owls 5-4 in eight innings.
The Panthers (25-12, 7-7 CUSA) took down the Owls (7-27, 3-11 CUSA) in a back-and-forth game on Friday, courtesy of a Kennedy Byrd walk-off double in the eighth inning. FIU led for much of the game, but a scrappy effort from KSU allowed the Owls to tie the game at 4-all in the top of the seventh, setting the stage for the extra frame and Byrd's heroics.
In the final frame, Grace Helbling led off the eighth with a single to left center and then gave way to pinch-runner Victoria Scott at first. Kally Meredith dropped down a bunt single with one out a short time later, moving Scott into scoring position. Byrd then launched a deep fly to the wall in right center, which allowed Scott to score the game-winning run.
Kendall Catherwood paced the offensive effort with two hits and two RBI, reaching base safely in 3-of-4 at-bats. Janelle Martinez also collected two hits and had an RBI, adding a walk and a run scored. Meagan Villazon (8-0) earned the victory in relief, allowing one run in 2.1 innings innings pitched. Villazon came on in relief of Byrd, who was the game's starting pitcher, and allowed two earned runs in 5.2 innings.
FIU took an early lead for the second-straight day, plating two runs in the third to go up 2-0. Following a solo homer from KSU in the fourth, Catherwood provided a two-run single in the fifth to put the Panthers up 4-1 after five.
The Owls showed their resiliency with two runs in the sixth and one more in seventh, tying the game at 4-4. FIU was held off the board in the bottom half, but Villazon also blanked KSU with a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the eighth.
The Panthers, who secured their 20th home win of 2026, will look for their second home CUSA series sweep of the season on Saturday.
UP NEXT
The Panthers take on the Owls for the series finale, tomorrow, Saturday, April 4 at 11 a.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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