Saturday, May 4, 2002

IU and Western Kentucky split the opening doubleheader, 3-2 and 3-7, in Bowling Green, KY.

In game one, Lesley Gillen went three-for-three, driving in and scoring a run to lead FIU to a 3-2 win. Sabrina Smith and Jennifer Owens also picked up an RBI apiece.

Vanessa Preston (12-10) won her 12th game on the season, allowing three hits and two runs over four and a third innings.

Amanda Nealer picked up her fifth save of the year, building on her FIU record, pitching the final 2 and 1/3 innings. The lefty allowed only one hit, striking out one.

Western Kentucky won the second game despite being outhit, 13-5. Stephanie Wolter was 3-for-4 to lead the way for the Golden Panthers, who also got multiple-hit games from Crystal Boyer, Nicole Dubovik and Kristen Perry.

Kendra Laminack received the loss, after replacing Leah Barnes in the third inning. The Hilltoppers Jessie Richardson greeted reliever Laminack (8-8) with a home run to center field to give WKU its first lead.

The victory was the Hilltoppers’ first against FIU in the regular season, though the Golden Panthers lead the all-time series, 8-3.

The Hilltoppers (36-19, 7-7 Sun Belt) and Golden Panthers (37-31, 7-7 SBC) enter the final day of the regular season tied for second place in the conference standings.

The two teams will play pair of contests Sunday, before heading down to Miami for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, May 9-11.