The defeat dropped the Hilltoppers to 4-5 in Sun Belt play and 24-23 overall. FIU’s win helped them win the series, two games to one, and improve to 23-24 overall and 6-3 against Sun Belt opponents.
WKU pitcher Adrienne Lathrop held the Golden Panthers hitless until Tracey Deleon singled in the top of the fourth. Deleon had one of four hits for FIU in the inning as the team put up three runs, with one resulting from a Hilltopper throwing error to home plate.
FIU posted two more runs on four hits in the fifth to make it 5-0, including Jennifer Powell’s two-RBI double to left.
Lathrop (14-11) was tagged with the loss after giving up eight hits and four earned runs in 5.0 innings. Ryan Rogge provided 2.0 innings of relief work, allowing one earned run on one hit. Golden Panther starter Sarah Belanger (10-10) lasted all 7.0 innings in the winning effort while striking out six.
The Golden Panthers were paced by Kim Rodriguez, who had two RBI and scored a run while collecting two hits.
