MIAMI — FIU’s softball program was defeated 6-5 in a tightly-contested Conference USA (CUSA) matchup with Liberty on Sunday.
The Panthers (29-16, 11-10 CUSA) rallied from a 4-0 deficit to the Flames (22-23, 15-6 CUSA), scoring 5 unanswered runs to take a 5-4 lead into the seventh inning. Liberty, nonetheless, plated two runs with two outs in its at-bat in the seventh after which held the Panthers scoreless in the underside half to declare the one-run victory and the 2-1 sequence win.
Leah Clark led the offensive effort with a 3-for-3 day and two runs scored, reaching base in all 4 of her at-bats. Paige Miller and Janelle Martinez each had essential two-run singles that aided FIU’s comeback. Kally Meredith picked up two hits in the sport and scored as soon as.
In the circle, Kennedy Byrd (7-6) suffered the loss in aid of starter Meagan Villazon, pitching 5.1 innings whereas surrendering 4 runs, three earned. Villazon allowed two runs in the primary and completed with 1.2 innings pitched.
The Flames managed the early innings of the sport, plating two in the primary, one in the second and one In the third to take a 4-0 lead. FIU bought itself on the board as Isabella Perez singled and a ensuing error from Liberty allowed Clark to rating from first, slicing the deficit to 4-1 after 4 innings of play.
The Panthers confirmed their struggle, beginning in the fifth, as FIU loaded the bases with two outs. Miller then ripped a single below the primary baseman’s glove to rating two runs, getting the Panthers inside one, down 4-3 after 5.
In the sixth, FIU loaded the bases as soon as once more with two outs, setting the stage for Martinez. She deposited a looping single into proper area to cap FIU’s 5 unanswered runs from the fourth to the sixth, staking the Panthers to a 5-4 lead heading into the seventh.
With two outs and two runners on in their closing at-bat, the Flames delivered with a two-RBI infield single to return on prime, 6-5. FIU labored a leadoff stroll to begin the underside of the seventh, however three straight Panther hitters had been then retired as Liberty pulled out the win in a thriller.
UP NEXT
FIU takes on Sam Houston in its closing CUSA house sequence subsequent weekend, April 24-26, at Baptist Health Stadium.
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The 2026 FIU Softball season is introduced by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics.
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