Sunday, April 14, 2002

IU (34-25, 6-2 SBC) swept its Sun Belt Conference home softball doubleheader against New Mexico State, Sunday, 10-3 and 6-0.

With the doubleheader sweep, the Golden Panthers won the weekend series, 3-1.

Kendra Laminack and Amanda Nealer combined for the team's 17th shutout of the season in the nightcap. Nealer (11-4) picked up the win, tossing the final 4 2/3 innings and allowing only one hit while striking out four

FIU had six hits and were helped by four Aggie errors. Leslie Gillen went 2-for-2 for the Golden Panthers with a run scored and an RBI.

In the opener, FIU scored six runs on six hits in the first inning and cruised to the victory.

In pounding out 15 hits, the four, five, six and seven-place hitters Kristen Perry, Jennifer Owens, Sabrina Smith and Nicole Dubovik contributing a combined nine-for-11 in the contest.

Lindsay Tippings doubled her season total in RBI by plating four with a single and a double.

Vanessa Preston and Leah Barnes combined on a five-hitter with six strikeouts. Preston earned the win, raising her record to 11-8, while Barnes recorded her second save of the season.

The Golden Panthers conclude their home schedule on Thursday, April 18 when they host St. Thomas for a single game starting at 6:00 p.m.