MIAMI – The FIU baseball team is set to launch its 2025 campaign with a four-game weekend series against Stonehill College at FIU Baseball Stadium.

Friday, Feb. 14 vs Stonehill

• Time / Site: 6:30 p.m. ET at FIU Baseball Stadium
• Ryan Douglas (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs Logan Runde (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Saturday, Feb. 15 vs Stonehill

• Time / Site: 5 p.m. ET at FIU Baseball Stadium
• TJ Curley (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs Owen Puk (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Sunday, Feb. 16 vs Stonehill

• Time / Site: 2 p.m. ET at FIU Baseball Stadium
• Jimmy Gilleran ( (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs Easton Marks (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Monday Feb. 17 vs Stonehill

• Time / Site: 12 p.m. ET at FIU Baseball Stadium
• Justin Tullish ( (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs TBD

The Panthers enter their third season under head coach Rich Witten, who led the team to 27 wins in 2024—the program's highest total since 2018. FIU also secured its best Conference USA (CUSA) finish since 2018, earning a spot in the CUSA Championships.

FIU's offense was a key highlight last season, posting a .293 team batting average—the highest since 2011 and the top mark as a member of CUSA. The Panthers showcased power at the plate, belting 83 home runs, the third most in program history and the most since 2009, while driving in 379 runs, the most since 2011.

RETURNING FACES

FIU returns 19 letterwinners, including five from the 2024 Opening Day lineup. Senior Brylan West leads all returning players in batting average (.333), doubles (16), RBIs (42), and OPS (1.059). His impressive performance earned him All-CUSA Second Team honors.

Outfielder Kishon Frett returns as FIU's top power hitter after leading the team with 16 home runs in 2024—the sixth-highest single-season total in program history—earning him Preseason All-CUSA recognition.

In the infield, senior shortstop Alex Ulloa brings valuable experience after starting all 57 games last season. He hit .327 with 11 home runs, 38 RBIs, and eight doubles (second-most on the team) while tallying 19 multi-hit games, including eight with three or more hits. Ulloa was also named to the Preseason All-CUSA team by Perfect Game.

Outfielders Austin Dearing and Hector Candelas add key depth, combining for 37 RBIs while both hitting over .280. Behind the plate, graduate student Brendan Roney enters his third season with FIU after playing in 41 games in 2024.

On the mound, FIU aims to build on last season's lowest team ERA since 2019. Senior Logan Runde, who is set to start on Opening Day, returns after making 14 appearances and five starts in 2024, posting a 4.43 ERA in 42.2 innings with a 4-2 record.

Owen Puk returns as a weekend starter after making 10 starts and striking out 28 batters in 26 innings. The bullpen features key arms, including David Eckaus, who struck out 31 batters in 32.2 innings across 18 appearances. Additional pitching depth includes Evan Alwine, Jaydon Bishop, Kevin Martin, and Bryce Greene.

FRESH FACES

The Panthers welcome 21 newcomers, including several impact players. Senior transfer Albert Serrano (Wagner) hit .280 with an .805 OPS and 32 RBIs last season. Catcher Rene Lastres transfers in from Charlotte after starting 25 games in 2024.

Infielder Kareh Valentin (College of Central Florida) brings defensive prowess, boasting a .400 batting average and an NJCAA Gold Glove while helping his team win a National Championship in 2023. Javier Crespo (The Citadel) adds infield depth.

On the mound, Nevada transfer Easton Marks is slated to make his FIU debut on Sunday after starting 13 games last season. Junior college transfer Juan Villarreal adds size and innings, while Jarek Woodward (Seattle) brings additional pitching depth.

FIU's freshman class is headlined by outfielder Cole Cleveland, ranked among Florida's top overall prospects, and infielder Adonys Velez, a highly touted recruit in the class of 2024.

HOME SWEET FLORIDA

FIU will remain in the Sunshine State for its first 26 games, including 23 home contests at FIU Baseball Stadium. The Panthers will play road games at Bethune-Cookman (Feb. 19), South Florida (Feb. 25), and Florida Atlantic (March 8) before their first out-of-state trip on March 28 to face Middle Tennessee in the CUSA road opener.

SCOUTING THE SKYHAWKS

Stonehill will make its first-ever trip to FIU to open the 2025 season. The Skyhawks finished with 18 wins in 2024, their second season as a Division I program, and recorded 13 victories in Northeast Conference (NEC) play. Stonehill was picked to finish sixth in the NEC Preseason Poll.

Senior Taylor Gaspar leads the Skyhawks after hitting .303 with 11 home runs, 47 hits, and 40 RBIs in 2024. Graduate student Jack Thorbahn also returns after driving in 43 runs last season.

On the mound, Ryan Douglas will start on Opening Day after leading the team with 73.2 innings pitched in 13 starts last season. TJ Curley, a transfer from Mount St. Mary's, adds depth to the pitching staff.

Stonehill is led by head coach Pat Boen, who enters his 28th season at the helm of the program.

UP NEXT
FIU hits the road on Wednesday, Feb. 19 as they take on Bethune Cookman in Daytona Beach. First pitch is set at 6 p.m.

BAPTIST HEALTH
Presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics

SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on the team by following @FIUBaseball on Facebook and @FIUBaseball on Twitter and Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.