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MIAMI — FIU’s softball program defeated Sam Houston 9-1 in five innings on Saturday in Conference USA (CUSA) play, securing both the series victory and a berth to the 2026 CUSA Tournament with the win. The Panthers (31-16, 13-10 CUSA) plated eight combined runs in the fourth and fifth innings to cruise past the Bearkats (29-22, 13-10 CUSA) in a mercy-rule victory. FIU was led by Janelle Martinez, who provided the walk-off hit, and finished the day with two hits and four RBI. In the circle, Kennedy Byrd (W, 8-6) was extremely effective, pitching 5.0 innings while scattering seven hits…