![\"Sam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774060390_125_Sam_Houston.png\")
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Next Game:<\/p>\n
Sam Houston<\/p>\n
4\/26\/2026 | 11 a.m.<\/p>\n
\n Apr. 26 (Sun) \/ 11 a.m.
\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n \u00a0Sam Houston
\n <\/p>\n
History <\/a><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n MIAMI \u2014 FIU’s softball program defeated Sam Houston 9-1 in five innings on Saturday in Conference USA (CUSA) play, securing both the series victory and a berth to the 2026 CUSA Tournament with the win.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Panthers (31-16, 13-10 CUSA) plated eight combined runs in the fourth and fifth innings to cruise past the Bearkats (29-22, 13-10 CUSA) in a mercy-rule victory. FIU was led by Janelle Martinez<\/a>, who provided the walk-off hit, and finished the day with two hits and four RBI. In the circle, Kennedy Byrd<\/a> (W, 8-6) was extremely effective, pitching 5.0 innings while scattering seven hits and allowing just one earned run.\u00a0<\/p>\n Byrd also added an RBI at the plate as Leah Clark<\/a>, Kaleena Downing<\/a> and Paige Miller<\/a> each had an RBI in the game. Miller posted a 2-for-3 afternoon with a run scored and an RBI. As a team, FIU pounded out 11 hits and added six walks, getting baserunners on in every inning. Additionally, every player in FIU’s lineup\u00a0collected at least one hit today.<\/p>\n Sam Houston opened the game with three first inning hits, including an RBI double, to stake the Bearkats to a 1-0 advantage. FIU answered immediately in the bottom half, however as Clark singled in Kally Meredith<\/a> to even the score at 1-all after one.\u00a0<\/p>\n Following two scoreless frames from each team, the Panthers began to pull away in the fourth, loading the bases with three-straight hits to open the inning. With one out, Miller raced home on an errant throw to give FIU the lead, 2-1. Byrd then walked in a run to make it 3-1, bringing Martinez to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. In the next at-bat, Martinez chopped a ball over the third baseman’s head into left field for a two RBI double, adding to the Panther advantage. Miller delivered an RBI infield single a short time later, capping FIU’s five run fourth inning.\u00a0<\/p>\n Byrd shut down Sam Houston again in the top of the fifth, setting the stage for the walk-off win. Up 6-1 heading in the bottom of the fifth, the Panthers got their first two runners on board. Downing had a bunt single to score Zamya McBurrows<\/a> from third, putting FIU up 7-1. Martinez then came to the plate with one out and the bases loaded later in the inning and lined a single off the pitcher that went into left field, scoring two to send the Panthers home with the sudden victory.\u00a0<\/p>\n FIU’s 31 wins on the season are now the most for the program since the 2017 season.\u00a0<\/p>\n UP NEXT BAPTIST HEALTH SOCIAL MEDIA
\nThe series finale between FIU and Sam Houston will take place tomorrow, Sunday, April 26 at 11 a.m. Senior Day festivities will begin at 10:40 a.m., honoring FIU’s 2026 Senior Class.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nThe 2026 FIU Softball season is presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics.<\/p>\n
\nFans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram\u00a0(@FIUSoftball<\/a>), X (@FIUSoftball<\/a>), and Facebook (Facebook.com\/FIUSoftball<\/a>) for all the latest FIU softball news.<\/p>\n