By Pete Pelegrin
Twitter: @Petepelegrin
 
With more than half of its roster comprised of new players the FIU baseball team has such a different look this coming season that you might need to hand out "Hello, My Name is" stickers at the FIU ballpark. Since there are so many new faces, from now until Opening Day on Feb. 16 when Missouri comes to town for a three-game series, we'll profile the newest Panthers as well as the returning FIU ballplayers.
 
Cody Cortelli, RHP, Freshman
 
What were you doing last baseball season?

CC: I was pitching at American Heritage in Plantation, Florida with my FIU teammate Christian Santana. I was a middle reliever/closer. I was 4-0. We had a good season but we fell short in the regional quarterfinals.

What is your best baseball experience?

CC: My junior year in my first appearance against Dwyer High. We were down 3-2 with the bases loaded in the sixth inning. I struck out the next three batters and we ended up winning the game. I pitched the last two innings and I got the win.

Give me an example of something that makes baseball such a great game.

CC: Watching the All-Star Game in Arizona and seeing reliever Heath Bell sprinting from the bullpen to the mound and sliding behind the pitcher's mound was unbelievable. It shows true character and a passion for the game.



Tell me something away from baseball about you that someone might find interesting?

CC: I'm pretty much a melting pot. I'm Vietnamese, Italian, Irish and Cherokee Indian. I have a lot of things in me. My dad is Italian-Irish. My mom is Vietnamese and Cherokee Indian.

FIU coach Mervyl Melendez says about Cortelli:

"Cody Cortelli will assume one of the roles out of the bullpen. He's a middle reliever who is really strong commanding the fastball and breaking ball."
 
2018 FIU PANTHERS
Logan Allen
Diandre Amion
Seth Cannady
Derek Cartaya
Steven Casey
Frank Chacon
Adan Fernandez
Jan Figueroa
Greyson Fletcher
Jose Garcia
Andrew George
Lorenzo Hampton
Michael Harkcom
Everett Hurst
Christian Khawam
Kobe Lopez
Nick MacDonald
Jose Machado
Tyler Myrick
Andres Nunez
Davy Phrathep
Chandler Raiden
Will Saxton
Austin Shenton
Eddie Silva
Juan Teixeira
Javier Valdes