MIAMI -The FIU baseball program is set to welcome in the Long Island Sharks for a four-game set to open up the 2024 campaign this Friday, Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at FIU Baseball Stadium.
Friday, Feb. 16
Saturday, Feb. 17
Sunday, Feb. 18
THE RETURNING CAST
The Panthers embark on the 2024 season under second-year head coach
Rich Witten who guided FIU to the most wins for the program since the 2019 season, including 18 victories at home, the most since the 2019 campaign as well.
In addition, the offense shined, scoring 337 runs, a team-high since 2017.
FIU returns 18 letterwinners, highlighted by first baseman and designated hitter
Ryne Guida, who led the Panthers in nearly every single offensive category from a season ago. He paced the Panthers in batting average (.366), hits (78), RBIs (50), which were all team-highs. His 50 RBIs mark was the most for a Panther since 2017.
Catcher
Brendan Roney, who started in 32 games behind the backstop in 2023 brings his veteran presence to the lineup in 2024, hitting .260.
On the mound, veteran hurlers
Jackson Ritchey, and Ryan Cabarcas are expected to be major contributors in 2024, with Ritchey starting on the bump Friday night. Ritchey and Cabarcas combined for 35 starts throughout the 2023 season.
FRESH FACES
The 2024 roster features 22 newcomers for FIU including six freshmen to bolster the roster. Notable key additions in DII transfer
Jeff Liquori who play various positions across the field. Seminole State College transfer
Kishon Frett will be a key power bat in the Panthers lineup, alongside South Florida State College transfer
Brylan West, and Erskine transfer
Armando Becerra. In the infield, Miami Dade CC transfer
Alex Ulloa is projected to play shortstop, while Tulane transfer
Chase Engelhard will get looks at second.
On the mound, JUCO additions
Logan Runde and
Ryan Reyerson will be pivotal pieces on the bump while freshmen
Tristan Dietrich and
Evan Alwine will get looks on the mound across the season.
HOME SWEET HOME
FIU begins the regular season, playing 13 of its first 14 games at FIU Baseball Stadium with upcoming series against Notre Dame from Feb. 23 – 25, and Seton Hall from Mar. 1 – 4.
The Panther's competition against the Sharks will be FIU's eighth consecutive year to open up the season at their home ballpark.
Dating back to 2017, FIU is 4-3 in their home openers with their last victory coming against the St. Thomas (MN) Tommies in an 4-3 win on Feb. 18 in 2022.
SCOUTING THE SHARKS
Long Island comes into the season-opening series, coming off a 19-36 campaign in 2023.
The Sharks are slated fifth in the Northeast Conference Poll with notable players returning in outfielder Carlton Harper, hitting .330 with 32 RBIs while making the All-NEC team.
Outfielder Jake Mastillo led LIU in home runs (14) and RBIs (49) from a season ago.
On the mound, righty Garrett Yawn threw 70.2 innings in 2023 making 16 appearances and threw two complete games. Redshirt sophomore righty Dominic Pieto was tied for the team-leader in strikeouts (78) last season, making 13 starts on the bump.
It marks the first meeting between both schools.
UP NEXT
FIU looks ahead to their first midweek competition of the season as they head to Daytona Beach to take on the Bethune Cookman Wildcats on Tuesday, Feb. 20. First pitch from Jackie Robinson Ballpark is set for 6 p.m.
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.
