February 14, 2025
Florida International 4, Illinois State 0
PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – Florida International came away with a 4-0 victory in extra innings over Illinois State on Friday morning.
Brooke McNichols shined in the circle for the Panthers, pitching seven shutout innings to lower her season ERA to 2.10. McNichols allowed seven baserunners on five hits and two walks.
Hannah Meshnick got the loss for Illinois State, going 7.1 innings and giving up three runs, all unearned. Meshnick gave up just three hits in the first seven innings, rising to the occasion of the pitching duel, before giving up two more hits in extra innings.
Neither team could find much offensive rhythm in the first seven innings, with Illinois State’s Julia Larson making the play of the day with a diving catch in right field in the top of the 5th inning to keep FIU scoreless. Finally in the top of the 8th inning, with a runner on third base, FIU broke the drought with an RBI single to left field from pinch-hitter Brooke McCann.
Florida International added three more runs, including an RBI single from Kennedy Byrd, before Byrd came in to pitch in relief and close out the game for the Panthers.