Brett Shweky // Staff Writer
Senior first baseman Stephanie Texeira is chasing history, after she tied FIU’s career home-run record in the 9-5 victory over Rutgers University on Feb. 24. Texeira recorded her first homerun of the 2017 season, tying former panther Ashley McClain for the all-time home-run lead, with 33.
In the second inning, Texeira hit a two-run homer over the center field fence, allowing the Panthers to increase their lead to 6-0 over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The senior capped off the game going two for three, with two RBIs and three runs scored.
As a freshman, the first baseman was named Conference USA Freshman of the Year and also was named Second-Team All-C-USA. She topped the league with 11 home runs, while also finishing with a .516 batting average, the highest among freshman in 2014. She concluded her freshman year with the second-best batting average in school history, being only one point off from the top average.
Throughout the rest of her career she has established herself as one of the best Softball players in the nation. As a sophomore, she finished with the best single-season batting average in FIU history, hitting .444 during the 2015 season. Her junior season, even though she missed 15 games due to injury, she still managed to lead the team with a .413 average, 13 home runs, 46 RBIs, and a .835 slugging percentage.
Senior religious studies major, Shanna Vick-Morris talked about Texeira possibly being the best player in FIU Softball history.
“From her freshman year to her senior year, Texeira has led the Panthers in almost every statistical category,” said Vick-Morris. “She has been able to help FIU softball transcend themselves as a program.”
To start the 2017 season, Texeira was named Preseason All-Conference USA. She was also named to the USA Softball preseason Player of the Year watch list.
Junior marketing major Julieth Gil believes this could be an exciting season for the Panthers and expects Texeira to play a large role in their success.
“Going into her final season for FIU, I feel that she can lead the team to a potential C-USA championship appearance,” said Gil.
FIU softball will hit the road for Citrus Classic II, where the team will play against University of Tennessee at Chattanooga at 3:30 p.m. and Mercer University at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, March 3 in Orlando.
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