Big Sixth Inning Propels Softball Past FIU for First CUSA Victory

Friday, March 6

Newark, Del.

5 PM

University of Delaware

10-11, 1-0

FIU

18-4, 0-1

FIU

Delaware

Photo by: Ethan Heddinger

Big Sixth Inning Propels Softball Past FIU for First CUSA Victory

3/6/2026 8:27:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score

NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware softball team used a pair of home runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to pull away and earn its first Conference USA victory with a 7-2 win over Florida International on Friday evening at Delaware Softball Diamond. With the win, the Fightin' Blue Hens improve to 10-11 overall and 1-0 in conference play, while the Panthers fall to 18-4 and 0-1 in league action.

HENS HIGHLIGHTS

Maddie Diamond led the Blue Hens offense with two hits, including her fourth home run of the season, and four RBI.
Gianna Costaro also homered, her second of the year, and finished with two hits.
Sydney Shaffer had a pair of doubles and scored two runs.
Allie Nankivell also contributed two base knocks.
Josie Crossman went the distance in the circle, striking out seven while allowing just four hits and two runs (one earned).

HOW IT HAPPENED

It was a pitcher's duel early on as Crossman had five strikeouts through the first three innings.
The Blue Hens broke through in the bottom of the third as a one-out Shaffer double put two runners in scoring position. Diamond scored Katie Scheivert with an RBI single before a Sorella Gallucci sacrifice fly brought home Shaffer to give UD a 2-0 lead.
FIU tied the game in the top of the fifth with a pair of runs after an error, two singles and a fielder's choice.
Bridget Chapman grounded a sharp double into the right-centerfield gap in to the bottom of the fifth to score Caylin Blazys from first to put the Hens back on top, 3-2.
In the bottom of the sixth, a Scheivert single and Shaffer double put two runners in scoring position before Diamond launched a three-run home run well over the left field wall.
Two batters later, Costaro drove one out to the same spot to provide the final 7-2 score.

OF NOTE

It was Crossman's fifth complete-game effort of the season and lowered her season ERA to 2.97.
Diamond now has a team-high 19 RBIs on the season.
Friday was the third time in her career that Shaffer has hit two doubles in a game.
Shaffer's fourth-inning walk was the 93rd of her career, tying Hannah Garber ('23) for the program record.
Delaware recorded at least 10 hits for the third-consecutive game, and the eighth time this season.

UP NEXT
The two teams will resume their three-game series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

TICKET INFORMATION
Individual game and season tickets for all of Delaware's home games during the inaugural ice hockey season are on sale now.

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