Panther Preview: FIU takes on Southern Miss. in three-game series

Brett Shweky // Staff Writer

The Panthers will continue their road stand as FIU will remain in the state of Mississippi to take on the No. 21 Southern Miss Golden Eagles in a three-game series starting Friday.

Southern Miss (24-6, 8-1 Conference USA) has won 15 of their last 17 games, while FIU (17-12, 5-4) has won 15 of their last their last 21 games.

The Golden Eagles currently lead the conference with their 8-1 league record. The Panthers are tied for fourth with the Charlotte 49ers, being three games behind Southern Miss.

FIU catcher Zack Soria is first in the conference when it comes to players caught stealing having thrown out 12 of 22 base runners. Centerfielder Kenny Meimerstorf is 13 for his last 27 and currently ranks second in C-USA with a .376 batting average.

Meimerstorf said that the team needs to keep the same mindset and continue to work hard to bring over their success in the previous series.

“Stay with it every single day,” said the senior centerfielder. “Come out and be aggressive. As a player you can never get down, we need to come out with the same intensity that we had before in other games and just translate that over into the series ahead.”

USM is first in the conference when it comes to team batting average with .307 and also leads in stolen bases with 35.  

Golden Eagles’ infielder Dylan Burdeaux has a team-leading 31 RBI and has stolen eight bases so far this season. Outfielder Matt Wallner has secured nine home runs this season and has helped USM have a team fielding percentage of .974.

In the opener of the three-game series, FIU will send right-hander Chris Mourelle (2-1, 4.84 ERA) to the mound as USM will look to let-hander Kirk McCarty (4-2, 2.80 ERA) for the start on Friday at 7 p.m. Right-hander Tyler Myrick (3-1, 4.30 ERA) will get the nod for FIU head coach Mervyl Melendez on Saturday at 3 PM, while right-hander Hayden Roberts (4-1, 2.95 ERA) will pitch for the Golden Eagles.

FIU will close out the series with right-hander Nick MacDonald (4-0, 2.05 ERA) and right-hander J.C. Keys (2-1, 3.46 ERA) will get the final start for Southern Miss at 1 p.m.

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