FIU Panthers (14-20, 2-7 CUSA)
Friday, April 5
vs. UTEP (18-11, 4-5 CUSA), 6 p.m.
 
Saturday, March 6
vs. UTEP, 1 p.m.
 
Sunday, March 7
vs. UTEP, 1 p.m.
 
PANTHERS RETURN HOME TO BATTLE MINERS
The Panthers return to the confines of Felsberg Field for the first time in 22 days when they open a three-game Conference USA series vs. UTEP on Friday evening beginning at 6 p.m.
 
FIU will be looking to win its first CUSA series when it meets the Miners this weekend in a series will continue with games on Saturday and Sunday afternoon – each beginning at 1 p.m.
 
Each of this weekend's games will air live on ESPN+.
 
TOUGH START TO LEAGUE SLATE
The Panthers drew a tough draw in terms of the Conference USA schedule as FIU has faced the top three teams in the preseason coaches' poll over its initial three series of league play.
 
FIU managed to take a game from preseason favorite Liberty during the opening weekend of conference play at home before dropping all three games at Western Kentucky and posting a win at Middle Tennessee in its most recent action last weekend.
 
Beginning with this weekend's series against UTEP, the Panthers will close out league play with three of its final league series at home.  FIU follows this weekend with a trip to Las Cruces to face New Mexico State before returning home for back-to-back weekends against Jacksonville State and Sam Houston.
 
The Panthers close out Conference USA play at Louisiana Tech before the Conference USA Championship, which is scheduled for May 8-11 in Las Cruces.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS VS. UTEP
The Panthers have won the last three games in the series with the Miners, having swept UTEP in El Paso last season.
 
FIU will be looking for its first-ever home victory over the Miners when the series opens on Friday evening.
 
UTEP
Series: FIU trails 5-15
H: 0-6, A: 5-7, N: 0-2
Current Streak: FIU won last 3
 

Date	Site	Result	Score
4/11/15	El Paso, Texas	L	10-11
4/11/15	El Paso, Texas	L	2-3
4/12/15	El Paso, Texas	L	1-9
3/25/16	Miami, Fla.	L	6-7
3/25/16	Miami, Fla.	L	1-2
3/26/16	Miami, Fla.	L	4-6
5/11/16	Denton , Texas	L	4-5
5/4/19	El Paso, Texas	L	4-8
5/4/19	El Paso, Texas	W	4-2
5/5/19	El Paso, Texas	L	3-11
3/25/16	Miami, Fla.	L	6-7
3/25/16	Miami, Fla.	L	1-2
3/26/16	Miami, Fla.	L	4-6
5/1//16	Denton, Texas	L	4-5
5/4/19	El Paso, Texas	L	4-8
5/4/19	El Paso, Texas	W	4-2
5/5/19	El Paso, Texas	L	3-11
5/5/23	El Paso, Texas	W	6-5
5/6/23	El Paso, Texas	W	10-8
5/7/23	El Paso, Texas	W	6-5

 
HIGHLIGHTS FROM MIDDLE TENNESSEE SERIES
The Panthers had an exciting back-and-forth series at Middle Tennessee in their most recent action last weekend.
 
FIU won the middle game of the three-game set and dropped the opener and finale – the later of which was decided in extra innings.
 
Senior Bailey Grossenbacher highlighted the opener with a three-run homer, tying her for the team lead with five on the season and pushing the Panthers to an early 3-0 edge in the top of the first.  Middle Tennessee responded with nine unanswered runs to secure the win.
 
The middle game saw the Panthers break up a tie contest with three runs in the top of the seventh which would hold up for the win.  Sophomore Makayla Navarro provided the clutch hit with a two-out double that scored a pair of runs and put FIU ahead for good.
 
Ella Whitney was stellar in the circle in the victory with one of the best performances of her career.  She earned her first win of the season after going six innings and limiting the Blue Raiders to just a pair of earned runs while scattering 10 hits.
 
The finale saw the Panthers rally from a four-run deficit to push the game to extra innings all while recording a season-high 14 hits, including five doubles.
 
GROSSENBACHER ON TORRID STREAK
Senior Bailey Grossenbacher has posted 11 hits over the last 10 games and ranks seventh among CUSA batting leaders at .356.
 
She posted a career-high three RBI at Middle Tennessee on March 28 and currently leads the team with 19 RBI.  She is tied for the top on the squad with five homers and 31 hits.

SPEED ON DISPLAY
The Panthers have already made a statement that they will once again be a threat on the base paths in 2024.

FIU currently leads Conference USA with a total of 42 stolen bases – in 50 attempts.
 
Kally Meredith leads the Panthers and ranks tied for second among CUSA leaders with 13 steals (in 14 attempts).  Ashton Lansdell follows with a perfect 9-for-9.  Collier Peaden is 7-of-9 and Makayla Navarro in 6-of-9.
 
The Panthers totaled 82 stolen bases last season – which ranked as the seventh-best single-season total in program history.
 
WHAT IS BACK
The Panthers return a total of seven starters from last season's squad, including All-Conference USA First Team catcher Isabella Perez.  She led CUSA and ranked 11th among national leaders in runners caught stealing with 16
 
FIU also welcomes its top hitter from last season in Ella Whitney, who saw time at first base and in the circle as a freshman while totaling a .349 batting average and 10 extra base hits – her .349 clip ranked as the 10^th best total among league leaders.
 
Other returning starters include Ashton Lansdell (SS), Makayla Navarro (INF), Brooke McCann (OF), Kaleena Downing (INF) and Abigail Brown (INF).
 
In the circle, the Panthers welcome back all four of their primary pitchers from last season in Sydney Birling, Brooke McNichols, Megan Kruger and Whitney.
 
UP NEXT
FIU hits the road next weekend for a three-game Conference USA series at New Mexico State beginning on Friday, April 12 at 8 p.m. ET.
 
TICKETS
For more information on tickets to FIU Athletic Events, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit the FIU Athletics Online Ticket Office.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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