MIAMI - Coming off a series victory over Middle Tennessee, the FIU baseball program prepares for the first of four matchups with crosstown rival, the Miami Hurricanes on Tuesday, March. 19 from Coral Gables. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. from Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.

Tuesday, Mar. 19 at Miami Hurricanes

• Time / Site: 6 p.m. at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field
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The Panthers began CUSA play, clinching a series against Middle Tennessee, recording a pair of comeback victories on Saturday, March. 16 and Sunday, March. 17. FIU trailed 6-2 on Saturday, On Sunday. FIU fell 6-0 before scoring 16 unanswered runs enroute to a run-rule 16-6 victory. After a first series in the books, FIU is tied first in the CUSA standings

Since 2007, FIU-Miami have met each other a total of 21 times,

FIU will host Miami next Tuesday, March. 26 before their final matchups on May. 8 and May. 15 in Miami.

THOSE BATS ARE LIKE LAVA STICKS
In the Panthers wins over Middle Tennesee on March. 16 and March. 17, FIU combined for a total of 31 hits and 26 runs in the two-day span.

FIU notched a total of 19 hits in the 11-6 victory on March. 15, a season-high and most hits recorded by the Panthers since April. 21, 2021 against the Charlotte 49ers.

Overall on the season, the Panthers have recorded nine games with 10+ hits as a team, boasting the team batting average to .291 and a team-OPS of .410.

IT'S THE ALEX AND ANDRE SHOW
The left side of the Panthers infield put on a show over the opening conference weekend vs Middle Tennessee. 

Infielders Andre Martinez and Alex Ulloa combined for 13 hits and 12 RBIs along side a pair of HRs. The senior Martinez had five hits with seven RBIs across the weekend including a three-hit afternoon with 4 RBIs on March.17. Martinez has 10 RBIs in his past four games and hitting .438 in his past five games.

The junior Ulloa racked up eight hits with five runs driven in the CUSA opening series. Ulloa recorded multi-hit efforts in all three-games including two three-hit games on March. 15 and March. 16. On Sunday's 16-6 win, Ulloa reached base all five times including a three-run homer, his fourth of the season.

Overall, Ulloa has eight multi-hit performances, boasting his batting average to a team lead of .388 in all 20 games played. In his past five games, Ulloa is hitting .444 with eight hits in 18 at-bats.

THAT BALL IS OUTTA HERE
As a collective unit, the Panthers offense has lit up the box score with homers, 29 total as a ballclub. The 29 HRs sit second overall in Conference USA and 40th in the nation.

FIU belted four homers in the weekend series against Middle Tennessee, including three in the Sunday clincher that was highlighted by all HRs hit in the sixth inning.

Kishon Frett and Jeff Liquori are tied for the team-lead in homers (6).

Alex Ulloa sits second with four, while Ryne Guida and Brylan West have three each.

WILD, WILD, WEST 
The redshirt junior Brylan West is having a solid start to his first year with the Panthers.

West currently leads team in on-base percentage (1.200), hits (27), doubles (7), and has played in every game from the leadoff spot. He is second on the team in batting average (.370). His OBP % is top-10 in CUSA. 

MY NAME IS JEFF
The DII transfer Jeff Liquori has been an impactful force in the Panthers lineup, having played in all 20 games primarily in right field.

He is tied for the team-lead in HRs and sits first with 21 RBIs driven on the season. Liquori has bumped his batting average up .309 after notching eight hits and six RBIs in his past four games including a pair of homers in the stretch, vs FGCU on March. 13 and vs Middle Tennessee on March. 17.

The Lake Mary, Fla. native has recorded a .444 batting average in his past five games, holding a OPS% of .575 in that stretch.

THEY CALL HIM THE HIT MACHINE
Ryne Guida has continued to be a pivotal in the top order of the Panthers lineup as the designated hitter.

In all 20 games played, the senior is hitting .319 with 3 HRs and 19 RBIs (second on team). Guida has reached base in his past four games with five hits and four walks.

ONE-TWO PUNCH OUT THE PEN
The bullpen duo of Ryan Cabarcas and Orlando Hernandez have shined out the pen for the Panthers as the seniors have allowed just 6 earned runs with 34 strikeouts and five saves in 13 games appeared.

Orlando Hernandez has yet to allow an earned run in his past 8.2 innings pitched. Cabarcas earned the win after pitching three innings of work against Middle Tennessee on March. 17 in a 16-6 win while striking out five to earn the win out the bullpen.

MLB CONNECTIONS
FIU has multiple MLB connections on their roster as pitcher Orlando Hernandez is the son of 4x World Series Champion Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez and nephew of Marlins 1997 WS Champion Livan Hernandez.

Pitcher Joel Pineiro is the son of 12-year MLB veteran Joel Pineiro.

Pitcher Owen Puk is the brother of current Marlins relief pitcher AJ Puk.

SCOUTING THE HURRICANES
The Hurricanes enter the midweek matchup with an 11-8 overall and a 4-2 mark in ACC play. Miami earned their second straight top-15 series win as they took the series against the No.15 North Carolina Tar Heels. On Friday, Miami slugged their way to a 14-1 victory with three homers before walking off on Saturday in a 2-1 win, before losing 18-6 in the Sunday finale.

Miami is among the nation's home run leaders, ranking seventh with 42.  

The Hurricanes are led by freshman infielder Daniel Cuvet, who leads the team with a .396 batting average alongside 9 HRs and 26 RBis. Sophomore Blake Cyr has been an impactful bat, hitting .310 with seven homers and 20 driven in.

On the mound, Nick Robert has a 2.60 ERA out the bullpen with 11 appearances alongside three wins in 14.2 innings pitched. Righty Drew Dwyer will get the ball for Miami in the midweek.

UP NEXT
For the first time this season, FIU hits the road out of the state of Florida for their first road CUSA series of the season as they head to Bowling Green, Kentucky to take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. First pitch on Friday, March. 22 from Nick Denes Field is set for 7 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.

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