Friday, March 15, 2002

he FIU softball team took a pair of games on the first day of the FIU/Coca Cola Classic, beating Massachusetts (11-8), 2-1, and Fordham (4-11), 11-0.

In the nightcap, the Golden Panthers banged out 15 hits, breaking the game open with a seven-run second inning.

Lesley Gillen had two hits that inning, with a home run, and three RBI. Crystal Boyer also had a home run and Jennifer Owens scored twice and drove in two runs.

Winning pitcher Leah Barnes (3-4) tossed the final two innings with four strikeouts.

Against UMass, FIU's Vanessa Preston (7-5) picked up the pitching win, allowing a run on four hits over 5 2/3 innings. Amanda Nealer earned her second save of the season with 1 1/3 innings of one hit, two strikeout relief.

Nicole Dubovik had two hits and an RBI in the game as FIU ended the day with a 22-17 record.

The Golden Panthers continue tournament play Saturday against Missouri-Kansas City at 2:00 p.m. and Illinois-Chicago at 6:00 p.m.

	The FIU/Coca-Cola Classic March 15-17, 2002 FIU University Park
Friday, March 15
11am -- Missouri-Kansas City (3) vs. Illinois-Chicago (2)
1pm -- UMass (4) vs. Illinois-Chicago (3)
3pm -- Missouri-Kansas City (5) vs. Fordham (2)
5pm -- FIU (2) vs. UMass (1)
7pm -- FIU (11) vs. Fordham (0)
Saturday, March 16
10am -- Missouri-Kansas City (3) vs. UMass (2)
Noon -- UMass (4) vs. Fordham (1)
2pm -- FIU (8) vs. Missouri-Kansas City (0) -- 5 innings
4pm -- Illinois-Chicago (13) vs. Fordham (2) -- 5 innings UIC's Alison Aguilar pitches no-hitter
6pm -- FIU vs. Illinois-Chicago
Sunday, March 17
9am -- Illinois-Chicago vs. Fordham (Game 1)
11am -- FIU vs. Winner of Game 1 (Game 2)
1pm -- Missouri-Kansas City vs. UMass (Game 3)
3pm -- Championship (Winner of Game 2 vs. Game 3)