FIU defeated Liberty 10-4 on April 18, tying the series at one game each after a pivotal six-run fifth inning at Felsberg Field at FIU Softball Stadium.
The win ended a two-game losing streak for the Panthers, who improved to 29-15 overall and 11-9 in Conference USA play. Liberty dropped to 21-23 overall and remains at 14-6 in conference games. The Lady Flames had won the first game of the series, 7-2.
Liberty started strong in the first inning with Alexia Carrasquillo’s single bringing home Brynn McManus, followed by Maci Strickland’s triple that scored Carrasquillo. FIU quickly responded, leveling the score by the end of the first inning. The Panthers took a lead in the second and held it until Liberty narrowed it to one run in the fourth.
The turning point came when FIU led just 4-3 entering their half of the fifth. Leah Clark’s RBI single started a rally that included a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch and an RBI single from Jensen Luke. After Abigail Findlay relieved Danner Allen for Liberty, FIU added three more runs before Findlay ended the inning with a strikeout. Liberty managed only one more run—a pinch-hit double from Dani Lee—in their final opportunity.
Statistically, FIU outhit Liberty eight to seven; both teams committed one error and left four runners on base each. Brooke McNichols secured her seventh win for FIU while Gabby Mike took her tenth loss for Liberty before being relieved mid-game by Allen and Findlay—who matched her career high with three strikeouts.
Looking ahead, both teams will play again tomorrow morning to decide who takes this weekend’s series.
