MIAMI (March 11, 2014) – After going 2-1 in its opening weekend of Conference USA action, the FIU softball team (16-7) now embarks on a 10-game road trip, including four mid-week games. The Panthers will first face the Jacksonville Dolphins in a doubleheader tomorrow (4:00 p.m./ 6:00 p.m.) before facing the No. 21-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the UCF Knights on Thursday in Orlando. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., respectively.

 

Freshman Gabby Spallone came a single away from hitting for the cycle during FIU's second game of the series against Charlotte. She hit a lead-off double and two-run homerun in the third inning, as part of a nine-run inning for the Panthers. The teams' nine runs in that inning ties the program record for runs in a single inning, while the nine hits accumulated in the inning is a new program best. In all, the Panthers took two-of-three from the 49ers in its first-ever C-USA series.

 

With two more wins this past weekend, Head Coach Jake Schumann's all-time record of 396-321-1 puts him just four wins away from 400 for his career. He will be one-of-six head coaches in the conference to have 400-plus victories.

 

After dropping five-straight, the Dolphins enter Wednesday's doubleheader winners of their last three, 11-10 overall, sweeping Atlantic Sun conference opponent Northern Kentucky by a total score of 19-4. Leading the way for Jacksonville is Kelly Codi, who is hitting a team-best .354 with two home runs and 15 RBI, while three Dolphins with at least 55 at-bats are hitting over .300. In the circle, Victoria Brown's 3.36 ERA is a team-best, while the rotation is combining for a 4.11 ERA and holding opponents to 68 runs.

 

FIU is 4-1 all-time against the Dolphins. These two teams faced each other during the opening week of the season at the Felsberg Memorial, with FIU coming away with a 5-3 victory.

 

In the first of its two games on Thursday, the Panthers and Fighting Irish will play a neutral site game in Orlando. Improving from its original 23 spot, Norte Dame has won seven of its last eight. A powerful lineup, the Fighting Irish have seven players hitting over .315 who have at least 40 looks at the plate. Katey Haus has five home runs and accounts for 42 percent of the team's total home runs, while also leading the team with 10 doubles. Through 21 games, Notre Dame is holding its opponents to just 42 runs, thanks in large part to Laura Winter. She carries an 11-2 record and is one strikeout sky of the 100-mark.

 

In a three-game series history, FIU holds a 2-1 edge, winning the last contest, 5-4, in 2006.

 

With the same record as FIU through 23 games, the Knights will play Southern Illinois, Yale and Florida Atlantic before welcoming the Panthers on Thursday. Riding a seven-game win streak, UCF is 15-2 at home this season, as Linnea Goodman and Samantha McCloskey sit atop the team with .333 averages. Only two home runs for the season, 100 of 128 Knight hits have been singles. Shelby Turnier looks to be the pitcher of choice, boasting a 9-1 record, striking out a team-high 107 batters in 66 1/3 innings of work.

 

The Knights lead the all-time series, 4-3. FIU last won in commanding fashion in 2010, shutting out UCF, 7-0, but lost a season ago, 2-0.