MIAMI (Feb. 27, 2022) – Baseball returns to the diamond on Tuesday February 28 for a road game against Florida Gulf Coast University with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m.
 
TOP OF THE ORDER
Through the first eight games of the season the top of the FIU order has delivered.
 
In the leadoff spot, redshirt senior Mike Rosario is hitting .310 with nine hits, a team-best two home runs and four RBI.
 
At the two-spot, redshirt senior Alec Sanchez is hitting .323, with 10 hits, two doubles and a homerun. Sanchez also opened the season with a six-game hitting streak.
 
Junior Dante Girardi has been a fixture in the third spot in the lineup. He has an OBP of .364 with six hits and a team-high six walks.
 
Cleanup hitter Ryne Guida has been FIU's top bat early in the season. He leads FIU in hits with 12, average at .414, doubles with three and RBI with 11.
 
SWINGING OR LOOKING
The Panthers' pitching staff has attacked the zone this season to great success.
 
Through eight games FIU has earned 71 strikeouts. They are averaging nearly nine strikeouts a game with a K-to-BB ratio of 2.6.
 
The Panthers have topped 10 strikeouts in five of their eight games this season, including 16 in the season opener against George Mason.
 
Redshirt junior Ryan Cabarcas leads the team with 11 Ks. Through eight innings pitched and two starts he has an ERA of 1.13 and has allowed only one run. 
 
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
Florida Gulf Coast has opened the season 7-1 and is coming off a series sweep of UMass Lowell.
 
The trio of Edrick Felix, Jacob Lojewski and Alejandro Rodriguez are leading the Eagles offense with 10 RBI each. Felix leads the team with four home runs.
 
Junior Jason Woodward leads FGCU on the mound. Through two starts he has pitched 11 innings, struck out 15 batters and hasn't allowed a run.
 
Florida Gulf Coast leads the all-time series 12-7.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers are back at home this weekend for a four-game series against Harvard. The series starts on Friday March 3, continues on Saturday March 4 with a double header and closes on Sunday March 5. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:30 p.m. and fans can watch the game on C-USA TV.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIU.Baseball), Twitter (@FIUBaseball), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUBaseball) for all the latest Baseball news.
 
General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.