MIAMI– The FAU softball team fell in an early 2-0 hole to FIU and could not climb out of it on Friday. The 2-0 score held up as the final, dropping FAU to 22-22 and 9-7 in conference play. The Panthers improved to 18-24 and 4-12 in Conference USA action.
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The Panthers pushed over two runs and grabbed control of the game right away in the first inning. After back-to-back walks to lead the inning off, a sacrifice bunt and sacrifice fly pushed over the first run. A two-out double stretched the lead to two.
FAU starter
Lynn Gardner found a rhythm after the first inning and retired 10 consecutive batters from the second inning until one out in the fifth. The senior lefty finished with five strikeouts, two walks and only three hits allowed. She dropped to 13-7 on the year with the loss.
In the fifth inning, the Panthers threatened with runners on second and third and two out.
Maya Amm made a diving catch on a line drive to save two runs and end the inning.
Sara Berthiaume,
Kaitlyn Cunningham and
Zoey Jones each went 1-for-3 on the evening. Cunningham extended her hitting streak to five games tonight.
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These two teams will meet in game two of the series tomorrow at 6 p.m.
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