MIAMI – FIU (1-3) found their offense against Texas A&M Corpus Christi (0-4) and won 10-2, but fell to Auburn (3-0) in extra innings 2-1 on Saturday at the FIU Combat Classic.

FIU 10 – Texas A&M Corpus Christi 2 | Box Score

Freshman Ashley McClain went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs as FIU got their first win of the 2009 season with a 10-2 win over Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

After scoring one run in two games combined, the Golden Panthers erupted for 10 over the Islanders.  Senior Katie Bell scored three of the runs while senior Desiree Fink scored twice.

FIU got things going early as junior Lauren Spiers drew a bases loaded one-out walk to score Bell.  It was then McClain’s turn to hit with the bases loaded.  The freshman popped up to the first baseman in foul territory, but no one covered home plate and allowed senior Kim Rodriguez to score from third to take a 2-0 lead.

The Golden Panthers made it 3-0 in the top of the second as Rodriguez hit a two-out RBI single to score Fink.

In the top third with runners on second and third and two outs, Fink hit a double to right center that scored both Soberon and Welch to give FIU a 5-0 lead.

They added another run in the top of the fourth as McClain doubled to drive in Jessica Landau from first base, who got on with a walk.

In the top of the fifth, freshman Lana Lazar pinch hit and laid down a bunt for a single to start the scoring threat for FIU.  Fink reached on an error and brought up Bell with runners at second and third.  Bell’s bunt attempt was fielded by the pitcher who threw it to the catcher who bobbled the ball.  Both Lazar and Fink scored to give FIU an 8-0 lead.  Sophomore Jasmine Parra drove in Bell later in the inning to make the score 9-0.

After RBI’s by Cassie Redman and Lauren Sanders of the Islanders in the bottom of the fifth, the Golden Panthers added their tenth run on a McClain single in the seventh inning.

Cassady (1-0) picks up her first win of the season and Addie Tallman (0-1) gets the loss for Texas A&M CC.

Auburn 2 – FIU 1 | Box Score

FIU went into extra innings with Auburn before falling 2-1 in the ninth inning.

In the top of third, Auburn had runners at second and third with one out.  Starting pitcher Kasey Barrett then struck out Lauren Guzman and Amber Harrison popped out to end the threat.

In the top of the sixth with runners at first and second and two outs, Harrison doubled to score pinch runner Katie Colton and give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.

FIU got on the board in the bottom half of the sixth.  Desiree Fink started the inning with a single and advanced to second on Bell’s sacrifice bunt.  With Jessica Landau batting and two outs, AU’s pitcher Anna Thompson threw a wild pitch allowing Fink to move to third base.  Jessica Landau hit a single to right field scoring Fink and tying the game 1-1.

In the bottom of the eighth, Jenny Alfonso was placed on second and Iriseldis Soberon bunted her over to third.  Fink then struck out, but made it to first on a passed ball.  Bell came to the plate and hit the ball to shortstop Kendall White.  Alfonso tried to score, but was thrown out by the shortstop. 

In the top of the ninth, with runners on first and second and two outs, Kendall White singled to Rodriguez in center field.  Rodriguez’ throw was miss-handled by the third baseman Carolina Rojas and allowed Kendall White to score and give Auburn a 2-1 lead.

FIU had runners at first and second with no outs, but Auburn struck out the next three FIU batters to end the game.

Gniadek (0-1) pitched five innings in relief and gave up the game’s only two runs to get the loss.  Jenee Loree (2-0) got the win by pitching the last three scoreless innings in relief.

FIU will play Jacksonville on Sunday, Feb. 8 at 2:30 p.m. in the final day of the FIU Combat Classic.