Cassandra Chincoya | Staff Writer
FIU (5-4 in CUSA, 28-3 overall) will host the Florida Atlantic University Owls (4-5 in ACC, 21-11 overall) at home in Felsberg field in an evening showdown on Wednesday, March 25 at 6 p.m.
It’s been almost a year since the last matchup between the south Florida rivals.
Both teams are coming off productive seasons so far but have faced slowing momentum after strong starts, with key series losses against conference rivals weighing down their win-loss records.
The Panthers are looking for some consistency following their frustrating series in New Mexico against the Aggies.
New Mexico State
It took until the second inning of the first game for either team to score, but from there it became a slugfest in the sun with ten different players scoring a run from there until the end of the game.
From there, a triple from the Aggies’ pitcher broke the game open, as two runs scored to put FIU in a 3 run hole before they had a chance to breathe.
The Panthers fired back with a double from first baseman Janelle Martinez in the top of the 3rd to bring in two FIU runners and keep the scoreboard less slanted.
Martinez has hit out of this world efficiency wise for FIU this year, with a batting average hovering over .400 through 31 games played.
None of the pitchers brought out onto the mound had a strong showing, with every pitcher who played a minimum one inning during the game for either side gave up at least 3 runs.
The exception was Brooke McNichols, who had a brief stint beginning at the bottom of the fifth as a relief pitcher and finishing out the game.
McNichols has had a long career, playing the entirety of it in the 305. She’s held an ERA of 2.65 over her 5 starts and 8 total appearances.
In every game McNichols has pitched six or more innings, the Panthers have won.
FIU lost 6-10 in the first game of their three game series.
Game 2 was also a loss for the Panthers, but at the midpoint of the game it was tied until a wild pitch from FIU set into motion a cascade of runners who would run all over home plate for four runs in the 5th.
Kennedy Byrd softened the deficit with a lone score in the 7th thanks to a single from Kendall Catherwood but that wasn’t enough to change the Panthers fate.
Byrd has continued to be a workhorse arm for the Panthers while simultaneously contributing as a well above average hitter.
FIU lost 5-8 to mark their second loss of the series.
Heading into the third game, FIU needed a win to keep any chance of staying relevant within their conference standings.
Things started out great, with Janelle Martinez driving herself home for a single score in the 1st.
The game went quiet for about an inning before FIU gave New Mexico State a taste of their own medicine and had a 2 run 3rd inning to put the Aggies down 3 runs.
Each team took turns scoring and not allowing the other to score for the final three innings, but that wasn’t enough for New Mexico State to win.
FIU escaped the series sweep and won their third game 4-2.
With a 23-8 record, and 5-4 within CUSA, the Panthers are currently sixth in the conference standings.
As the Panthers return home they aim to carry momentum from their last win and improve their conference standing.
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