By Brett Shweky/ Sports Director
The FIU softball team had their postseason run cut short Wednesday, as the Panthers were shutout 4-0 against Middle Tennessee in the fourth game of the 2018 C-USA Championship.
MTSU pitcher Cori Jennings led the Blue Raiders by throwing a no-hitter against the Panthers and limited them to just two baserunners. The senior pitched a complete seven innings, struck out four batters and allowed only one walk.
“Jennings was tough, she was on her A game,” said FIU head Gator Rebhan following the team’s loss. “Her changeup, her curveball, and everything. She was hitting her spots and we just didn’t make the right adjustments.”
No runs were scored until the fourth inning when Middle Tennessee left fielder Keely McGee singled to left field scoring right fielder Kirstyn Cuccia and first baseman Lexi Cushing to give their squad a 2-0 lead.
Designated player Dani Munoz sent a home run over the left-center wall in the sixth to increase the lead for the Blue Raiders. Middle Tennessee followed up with another score in the seventh to take a 4-0 advantage against the Panthers.
FIU starting pitcher Shannon Saile struggled to keep the MTSU batters at bay, as she allowed ten hits and four earned runs. The sophomore ace did strikeout eight opposing batters, however, to bring her season strikeout total to 267, the most strikeouts in a single season by any FIU pitcher.
For the Panthers, unless they earn an at-large bid to an NCAA Softball Championship Regional, the team will end their 2018 season with a 30-25 overall record and a 14-8 conference record.
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