MIAMI –The Cleveland State softball program battled hard with a late comeback, but in the end host Florida International was able to escape with the victory as the Vikings fell to the Panthers by a 6-5 margin in extra innings on the second day of the Panther Invitational.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Cleveland State – 5, Florida International – 6 (eight innings)
LOCATION: FIU Softball Stadium – Miami, Florida
RECORDS: Cleveland State 4-4 (0-0 Horizon), Florida International 3-5 (0-0 CUSA)
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Sophie Spellman went 1-of-3 at the plate with two RBI to lead the charge for the Vikings.
- Becky Hurosky added a 1-for-3 day with one RBI and a run scored. She also drew a walk.
- Aly Packish was 1-of-2 with one RBI and a run scored. She too drew a walk to round out her performance.
- Courtney Fernette also crossed the plate to contribute a run scored.
- Torrie Jenkins took the tough-luck loss as she went 4 2/3 innings with just three hits, two strikeouts and two runs allowed (both unearned) in relief.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Packish and Hurosky both homered in the top of the first inning to give CSU a quick 2-0 lead.
- FIU was able to answer back with a run scored in the bottom of the second to half the lead to 2-1.
- Hurosky was then able to reach on an error in the top of the third that scored a run for the Vikes as they jumped ahead 3-1.
- The Panthers responded with a big third inning as they were able to push three across to take a 4-3 lead.
- Cleveland State scored again in the top of the sixth, but FIU got one of its own right back in the bottom half of the inning as the game went to extras.
- Florida International shut down CSU in the top of the eighth and went on to push a run across in the bottom half of the inning to escape with the 6-5 victory.
NEXT UP
While Saturday's final game against Penn State was canceled due to rain, the Vikings will look to right the ship with a matchup against Buffalo to close out the Panther Invitational on Sunday, Feb. 20. First pitch is set for 10:30 AM ET.
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