MIAMI – The FIU softball team continues its busy early season slate on Wednesday, Feb. 15 with a clash with Stetson in a 4 p.m. ET first pitch at Felsberg Field in Miami.
 
Wednesday, Feb. 15
FIU (3-2) vs. Stetson (3-2)
4 p.m. ET/Felsberg Field/Miami, Fla.
LIVE STATS
TICKETS
 
PANTHERS CONTINUE SEASON-OPENING HOMESTAND
Wednesday's game vs. Stetson will mark the first of six games this week for the Panthers as it will follow Wednesday's action with five games this weekend at the Panther Invitational – which includes Missouri, Pittsburgh and Butler.
 
Overall, the Panthers will play 18 of their first 23 games at home and host tournaments over three of the season's first four weekends
 
FIU OPENS SEASON WITH THREE WINS AT FELSBERG INVITE
The Panthers opened the season at home last weekend as they hosted the Felsberg Invitational in Miami.  FIU posted three wins in five games, with the only two losses coming against then No. 10 Clemson.
 
The Panthers tabbed wins over Kansas City (twice) and Georgia State.
 
FIU will host two other tournaments during the non-conference portion of the schedule including this weekend's Panther Invitational – which opens on Friday, Feb. 17.
 
MOST HITS IN 64 GAMES
The Panthers finished the game with 13 hits in their 9-2 victory over Kansas City on Feb. 10 – their highest total in the last 64 games.  Senior Frankie Izard and junior Carmen Perez each led the way with three hits. 
 
RUN, RUN, RUN
FIU's improved team speed was evident throughout the opening weekend of play as the Panthers posted a total of 13 stolen bases during the opening five game of the season at the Felsberg Invitational.
 
While only being caught three times overall, FIU posted a game-high six swipes against Kansas City on Feb. 10.  The Panthers logged four swipes in its second meeting with the Roos on Feb. 11.

Overall, FIU has posted at least one stolen base in five of six games this season.  Senior Frankie Izard leads the Panthers individually with five steals.  Junior Alexis Ross is second and is a perfect 3-of-3 on her attempts this season.
 
Six different players have stolen at least one base for the Panthers this season.
 
DON'T RUN
FIU freshman catcher Isabella Perez has already established herself as a problem for opposing baserunners. 
 
The backstop opened her collegiate career last week by tossing out five of the six baserunners who attempted to steal against her.
 
SCOUTING STETSON
The Hatters enter Wednesday's meeting with FIU sporting an identical 3-2 record following their opening weekend of play at the Frank Griffin Classic in Deland.
 
Stetson posted a pair of wins over Providence and another victory against Dayton.  The Hatters lost games to Dayton and Farleigh Dickinson (8 innings).
 
Senior Brianna Clary paced the Hatters during the opening weekend with a .465 batting average over the opening five games – all of her hits have been singles.
 
The Hatters boast a pair of pitchers who enter Wednesday's contest sporting an earned run average under one run a game.  Hannah Marien (0.88) and Lauren Hobbs (0.93) lead the Stetson staff after allowing just a combined four runs over 23.0 innings of work.
 
WHAT IS BACK/NEW FOR FIU
The Panthers features a total of 11 newcomers on this season's roster, including eight freshmen.  FIU returns 10 letterwinners from the 2022 squad and lost a total of 16 players.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers will host their second of three tournaments over the first four weekends of the 2023 season with the FIU Invitational, beginning on Friday, Feb. 17 at Felsberg Field in Miami.
 
The tournament runs through Sunday, Feb. 19 and will also include Butler, Missouri and Pittsburgh.
 
FIU is slated to open the weekend's action with a pair of games on Friday against Butler (12:30 p.m.) and Pittsburgh (5:30 p.m.).
 
TICKETS
For more information on FIU Softball season and individual tickets, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit the FIU Athletics Online Ticket Office.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIUSoftball), Twitter (@FIUSoftball), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSoftball) for all the latest FIU Softball news.