Sunday, March 3, 2002

IU falls in the last game of the Golden Panther Invitational to Auburn, 5-3, at University Park.

FIU got off to a quick start, as Stephanie Wolter doubled over the left fielder to lead off the game. Kelly Nicosia then sac bunted to third base, who over threw the ball, allowing Wolter to score.

Auburn's Sara Dean nailed a home run over left field off FIU starting pitcher Vanessa Preston (3-4), to tie the game at one. Later in the second inning, the Tigers Kelly Sutton singled in Karie Williams and Martha Phillips hit a sacrifice fly that scored Sutton, for a 3-1 advantage.

FIU closed the gap to 3-2 in the top of the fifth, when pinch hitter Meagan Dontrich smacked a triple to left field. Dontrich scored off an error by pitcher Jennifer Lofton. Lofton earned the victory going to 5-3.

The Tigers took back their three run lead in the bottom half of the inning. Auburn hit three consecutive singles to score two runs off relief pitcher Kendra Laminack.

Auburn's Kristen Keyes pitched the final two and two-thirds innings for her sixth save of the year.

FIU falls to 14-13 on the season, while Auburn goes to 15-4. The Golden Panthers will next play Wichita State tomorrow at 6:00 p.m., before travelling to Tampa to play in the USF Speedline Invitational.

Golden Panther All-Tournament Team
MVP - Nicole Myers, FAU
Ninya Ybarra, FAU
Heather Wright, FAU
Callie Piper, FAU
Lindsay Criag, Wichita State
Barb Cook, Connecticut
Leah Gulla, Oklahoma
Christy Ring, Oklahoma
Jennifer Stewart, Oklahoma
Sara Dean, Auburn
Kristen Keyes, Auburn
Vanessa Preston, FIU
Kendra Laminack, FIU