MIAMI (April 17, 2015) — The FIU softball team (26-20, 7-11 C-USA) and long-time Sun Belt rival Western Kentucky will meet for the first time as members of Conference USA this weekend, with the three-game series beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The Lady Toppers come into the weekend leading the league in the standings, while Western Kentucky is also receiving votes in all national polls.
 
Stay Connected
For those unable to attend this weekend's series, FIUsports.com will be streaming all contests, pending weather, in addition to providing live stats.
 
Stream: Click here
Livestats: Gametracker and StatBroadcast
Twitter: Click here
 
Game Day Quick Hitters
FIU holds a 26-21 edge in the all-time series, although the Lady Toppers have won the last three contests, all of which were in 2012
 
Left-handed ace Miranda Kramer is the NCAA's active strikeout leader with 1,036 career punch outs, the only player with over 1,000, and currently leads the nation in strikeouts-per-seven-innings (13.7).
 
Sneaking up the List
Sophomore tandem Gabby Spallone and Stephanie Texeira are tied for the team-lead with 44 RBI apiece, which is tied with one of FIU's all-time great players Ashley McClain for fifth all-time in single-season Panther history. McClain also holds the individual top spot.
 
D-Fence
Head Coach Gator Rebhan made it a point of emphasis in the off season to build a fast team. That has translated to the defensive side of the game, as the Panthers lead Conference USA in double plays turned with 21, which is No. 25 nationally. Sophomore transfer Ashley Leon has been involved in 11 of those transactions.
 
RB1(0)
Stephanie Texeira became the second active Panther to earn a spot on the FIU all-time RBI list, as her RBI-single on April 11 gives her 85 runs for her career. She joins junior catcher Aleima Lopez, who's currently No. 6 all-time with 90 RBI.
 
In Pursuit of 47
Junior Corinne Jenkins picked up her 46th-career win on Wednesday, April 8 over North Florida. With the victory, she's one win away from tying for third all-time in program history.
 
Double Down
Gabby Spallone leads Conference USA in doubles with 15, while the Panthers have three players occupying the top five spots in the league, as Stephanie Texeira (11) and Ashley Belans (1) are tied for fourth.
 
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About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports, and is a proud member of Conference USA. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including FIU Arena and the FIU Football Stadium.
 
About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offers more than 180 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU contributes $9.8 billion each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded over 200,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell, FIU@I-75, and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has over 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.