Owls Top Panthers in Midweek Contest

MIAMI, FL – The start of a seven-game homestand for the FIU Panthers began with a quick showdown against the FAU Owls. Both teams traded runs in the opening frame.

FAU took the lead for good in the second as FIU couldn’t overcome its inability to put together consistent hitting. The Owls topped the Panthers 10-2 in a Wednesday evening midweek contest.

FAU Takes Control Early On

After a leadoff walk for the Owls, Kylie Hammonds delivered for them with a two-run home run. The Panthers immediately responded in the bottom of the first with a two-run game-tying home run from Leah Clark, scoring Kennedy Byrd.

Bot 1st
FAU 2 | FIU 2

Just like that, Leah Clark ties this game up with her third homer of the season #FIU #Panthers #PawsUp https://t.co/M7b2Glp6kY

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) March 25, 2026

The Owls then took a 3-2 lead in the second after Bella Foran singled and advanced to second. After a bit of a rough start on the mound, Byrd settled in the third, retiring the side, and left the fourth unscathed.

In the fifth, Hammonds went yard for the second time in the game, and that was the final straw for Byrd (7-4). She took the loss, allowing four hits, four runs, and two walks in 4.1 innings.

In the sixth, FAU went back to work, scoring two runs off of Megan Villazon. Ciara Gibson hit an RBI single, and Lily Holtje hit a solo home run, making it a 6-2 game. Villazon allowed three hits and two runs in 1.2 innings.

The Panthers had a chance to get something going in the third with Kally Meredith on third base, but they failed to get her home. Following two quick innings, they loaded the bases all on mistakes from FAU but couldn’t score.

Megan Kruger took over in the circle for the Panthers in the seventh, and the Owls scored four additional runs. After back-to-back hit by pitches to her teammates, Jesiana Mora singled to score a run. McKenna Mulholland gave FAU an additional pair of runs on a single, and then Yani Guzman hit a sac fly to give them their 10th run. Kruger gave up a total of three hits on four runs.

Hitting Struggles

As a team, FIU totaled just three hits and stranded eight. It was a stark contrast from what we were used to seeing all season long. Meredith, who leads the team in hitting with a .520 average, had one. Clark, who leads the team with 21 stolen bases, had one, and Sammy Zelenka, who came in to pinch hit, had the last hit. Meredith made a spectacular catch in center field during the game.

QUEEN KALLY CATCHES EVERYTHING 👑#SCTop10 | ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/DEwyL7Uema

— FIU Softball (@FIUSoftball) March 25, 2026

The Owls had a total of 10 hits, going 4/7 with runners in scoring position. They went a perfect 2/2 with runners on third and less than two outs. Meanwhile, the Panthers went 1/12 with runners in scoring position and 0/2 with runners 90 feet away from home.

On Deck

FIU will face Jacksonville State this Friday at 6 pm for a weekend series.

About Post Author

Ricardo Urrusuno

He’s a diehard 305 native who roots for his hometown teams in the good, the bad, and the ugly. Recently, he graduated from FIU with an MBA, but now he’s a Lemonhead covering UM basketball. Known to be anywhere and everywhere, you may catch him at a Miami sporting event.

See author's posts