MIAMI, FL – It was 2000s Night at Felsberg Field, and the FIU Panthers jumped off to a 4-1 lead in the fifth. Kennedy Byrd, who got the start in her 14th appearance this season, got off to an exceptional start.
However, the Kennesaw State Owls bounced back and eventually tied the game. Despite getting substituted in the circle, Kennedy Byrd saved the day, hitting a walk-off double for the Panthers in extras in a 5-4 win.
FIU Starts Strong but Falters Lead
Both programs got off to quiet starts offensively with only a hit apiece midway through the third. In the bottom of the third, the Panthers struck twice at the plate.
Sammy Zelenka got walked and then was replaced by Chloe Bedwell at first. Bedwell attentively stole second, and after Zamya McBurrows got walked, she stole third as well.
Kally Meredith drove Bedwell in to score after she got a sac bunt. McBurrows went on to score after Janelle Martinez knocked her in with a single.
KALLY gives us the early lead 🆙 pic.twitter.com/TW9Voad6fB
— FIU Softball (@FIUSoftball) April 3, 2026
The Owls got one right back in the top of the fourth as Macie Howes hit a solo home run to left field. Byrd did not back down any further, though, as the Panthers went back to work at the dish.
Kendall Catherwood gave them a big push in the fifth with a two-run single, scoring both Janelle Martinez and McKenna Robbins. Despite the 4-1 lead, Kennesaw State would get its runs back.
Bot 5th
Kennesaw State 1 | FIU 4Kendall Catherwood drives in Janelle Martinez and Mckenna Robbins with a base hit through the right side#FIU #Panthers #PawsUp https://t.co/wGQsx4ajjI
— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) April 3, 2026
In the sixth, Savannah Frachiseur doubled down the right field line, and Addison Smith reached first on an error, to make it a 4-3 ballgame. Byrd tossed 5.2 innings, allowing five hits, four walks, and three runs.
In the next frame, Meagan Villazon came into the game, and Kennesaw State tied things up after an Ana Gore single.
FIU had a chance to walk it off in the bottom of the seventh. Clark was at third, and Paige Miller was at second, but Isabella Perez grounded out to send this game into extra innings.
Kennedy Byrd Saves the Day
Villazon retired the side in the eighth, setting the way for the Panthers with another chance at a walk-off. The frame started with Victoria Scott replacing Grace Helbling after she recorded a hit. Kally Meredith then reached first on a bunt single.
With runners on first and second, Kennedy Byrd made up for her struggles in the sixth by hitting a walk-off double to center, scoring Scott.
ROOO WALKS US OFF 😼 pic.twitter.com/9eCvyy5wsP
— FIU Softball (@FIUSoftball) April 3, 2026
Byrd leads FIU with a 1.087 OPS, .637 slugging percentage, 24 walks, seven home runs, and 33 RBI.
Villazon’s perfect record went to 8-0. She was relentless in 2.1 innings, allowing just a hit and a run while recording a punchout. Catherwood and Martinez each had multi-hit games in a game where FIU had 10 as a team.
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