By: Malcolm Shields/ Staff Writer
FIU (16-15; 4-1 SBC) lost both games in a double-header against No. 15 Baylor (27-4; 1-0) on March 24, but also split the first two games of a three game series against North Texas (14-16; 2-6 SBC) on March 26. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Golden Panthers.
North Texas 3, FIU 2
FIU took the lead in the fourth inning when Kayla Burri delivered a one out RBI single before they ran themselves out of the inning when Rojas was retired while attempting to advance to third on the hit. Burri was tagged out trying to advance to second on the same play.
The Mean Green loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth on a pair of errors by the Golden Panthers. Lesley Hirsch plated a run on an infield single and North Texas took a 2-1 lead on a sac fly.
In the sixth inning, the Mean Green added another run on a RBI single by Renae Bromley.
Burri completed her 2-for-3 day with a solo homer in the seventh to bring FIU to within a run of tying the game, but North Texas pitcher Brittany Simmons closed out the game.
FIU 12, North Texas 3 (5 innings)
In game two, the FIU lineup broke the game open by scoring five runs in the third inning, highlighted by a grand slam from Burri.
“She did a really good job,” Torina said of Burri. “I think she was seeing [the ball] really well.”
The Mean Green scored three runs in the third inning off of three FIU errors and a Courtney Bradshaw RBI single.
“We played some of our worst defense,” Torina said of the third inning. “We definitely need to clean up the defense.”
In the fourth, FIU scored five more runs on consecutive singles by Jessy Alfonso, Peller and McClain. Another run scored on a bases loaded walk to Rojas and a sac fly by Burri scored the fifth run of the inning.
Dawson pitched a complete game for FIU as she recorded her sixth win while striking out seven.
Baylor 2, FIU 0
The Golden Panthers were unable to scratch out any runs against Bears starting pitcher Liz Paul as she pitched a complete game, giving up just four hits.
“She [pitched] a good game against us,” coach Beth Torina said. “We just couldn’t figure [Paul] out.”
The Bears scored first on an RBI single by Dani Leal and would score again in the fourth inning.
The Golden Panthers best scoring opportunity came in the sixth inning. FIU loaded the bases with two outs, but pinch hitter Jackie Tetlow grounded out to end the inning.
“We did struggle offensively,” Torina said. “We just couldn’t figure it out offensively.”
FIU’s Jenn Gniadek pitched six innings and allowed three hits, but it wasn’t enough to pick up the win.
“We [pitched] well right back at them,” Torina said. “They really didn’t hit anything hard off of Jenn all day.”
Baylor 4, FIU 3
In the second game, untimely errors hurt FIU as Leal hit a two run homer after a runner reached on an error to stake Baylor to a 2-0 lead in the first inning.
A combination of hits by the Bears and errors by the Golden Panthers extended Baylor’s lead in the second inning when they scored on a throwing error by catcher Megan Horne. The Bears added another run on a Kathy Shelton double.
FIU chipped away at the lead with a two run third inning with RBI hits by Beth Peller and Ashley McClain. The Golden Panthers last chance to tie the game came in the seventh with runners on base and Ashley McClain at the plate.
McClain, who went 2-for-4, singled up the middle scoring a run to cut the deficit to 4-3, but Baylor’s Whitney Canion struck out Brie Rojas to end the game.
“I thought our offense was really good,” Torina said. We faced one of the better pitchers in the country and we scored runs off of her.”
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