FIU’s softball team defeated Middle Tennessee 15-2 in Conference USA play on May 2, closing out the regular season. The Panthers improved their record to 34-17 overall and 16-11 in conference games, marking their best performance since the 2017 season.
The game was highlighted by Kennedy Byrd’s two home runs and four runs batted in. Byrd hit a solo homer in the third inning to tie the score, then followed with a three-run shot during a five-run fourth inning for FIU. J’dah Girigorie earned her tenth win of the season after pitching six innings in relief, allowing only two hits and striking out six batters.
Paige Miller contributed two hits and scored twice, while Kendall Catherwood added two runs batted in with a double that gave FIU a lead they would not relinquish. Victoria Scott recorded her first hit of the season—a two-RBI single during an eight-run sixth inning that extended FIU’s lead to thirteen runs. Grace Helbling, Janelle Martinez, Leah Clark, and Zamya McBurrows also drove in runs for the Panthers.
Middle Tennessee briefly led after scoring twice in the second inning but was unable to keep pace as FIU’s offense surged ahead. Byrd’s home run total now ties her for fourth-most homers in a single season for FIU.
Looking ahead, FIU will compete at the Conference USA Championships beginning May 6 in Newark, Delaware. Game times and opponents will be announced on FIU Softball’s social media channels and fiusports.com.
