MIAMI - The University of South Alabama softball team dropped the first two games of the Sun Belt Conference series to Florida International on Saturday at University Park.  The Golden Panthers took the opener 5-3 and then followed it up with a 3-1 victory in game two.

With the two wins, FIU improves to 19-28 overall and 7-9 in the Sun Belt, while USA falls to 30-18 and 8-8 in the SBC.  The Jags and the Golden Panthers will close out the series on Sunday with the final game scheduled to start at Noon (ET). 

GAME ONE: Florida International 5, South Alabama 3

In the top of the second, South Alabama was able to plate three runs to take the early lead.  With one out in the inning, the Jags were able to put together three straight infield singles to load the bases.  USA catcher Kristen Hayes then came to the plate and dropped in a single to right, scoring Jenny Stevens and Kait Chernomaz.  Chernomaz was allowed to score on the play when FIU right fielder Ashley Faulk let the ball get past her.  Two batters later junior Jag left fielder Evelyne Pare drove in USA’s third run of the inning with another infield single that scored Carolina Mendoza from third.

Florida International trimmed the South Alabama advantage in the third courtesy of two Jag miscues.  With one out and runners at second and third, Deomni Murray drove in FIU’s first run of the game with an RBI ground out that scored Golden Panther pinch runner Suzy Ellquist.  Ellquist came into the game for designated player Amanda Cox, who had reached earlier in the inning on USA’s first error.  South Alabama looked as if it was going to get out of the inning on the very next batter, but a Jaguar throwing error allowed Katie Bell to score and trim the deficit to 3-2.

In the bottom of the sixth, FIU took its first lead of the game, scoring three runs.  The inning was aided again by a pair of Jaguar errors.  Murray walked to start the inning and Desiree Fink then reached base on another Jag error.  After Monique White was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out, Kim Rodriquez then delivered a two-run double to right center to put FIU up 4-3.  South Alabama looked as if it was going to get out of the inning two batters later when Lauren Spiers chopped a ball back to the mound, catching White in a run down at third, but USA committed its second error of the inning and fifth of the game to bring in the run and increase FIU’s lead to 5-3.

South Alabama threatened in the seventh inning with runners at first and second with no one out, but USA was unable to do any damage.

FIU’s Kerri Houck went the distance for the Golden Panthers picking up the win and improving her record to 7-14 on the season.  Beth Pilgrim (8-5) took the loss for the Jags, but allowed just two hits and one earned run in six innings of work.

The five Jaguar errors in the game were a season-high.

GAME TWO: Florida International 3, South Alabama 1

In the second game of the doubleheader, FIU’s Tabitha Embry and Monique White put the Golden Panthers out in front 2-0 in the first inning when the duo posted back-to-back home runs.  The home run for Embry was her seventh of the season and also placed the Florida International catcher in first place in the career home run category at the school with 19.

South Alabama had a couple of  scoring chances late in the game, placing two runners aboard with one out in both the fourth and fifth innings, but FIU starter Penny Eastman was able to get out of each inning without allowing any runs.

White gave the Golden Panthers an insurance run in the sixth when the junior shortstop lifted her second home run of the day, this one a shot over the wall in left center.

The Jags finally got on the board with a run in seventh when Hayes scored on a FIU error.  That was all USA was able to get though as the Golden Panthers held on for the 3-1 victory.

Eastman pitched Florida International’s second complete game of the day and improved her record to 12-11.  Amanda Leggett (5-4) took the loss for the Jags.