MIAMI – The FIU baseball program continues its season-opening eight-game homestand this weekend, welcoming the Delaware Blue Hens for a three-game series at FIU Baseball Stadium.

Friday, Feb. 21 vs Delaware

• Time / Site: 6:30 p.m. ET at FIU Baseball Stadium
• Ryan McLaughlin (0-1, 9.00 ERA) vs Owen Puk (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Saturday, Feb. 22 vs Delaware

• Time / Site: 5 p.m. ET at FIU Baseball Stadium
• Ethan Shaub (0-1, 15.43 ERA) vs Easton Marks (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Sunday, Feb. 23 vs Delaware

• Time / Site: 12 p.m. ET at FIU Baseball Stadium
• Doug Marose ( (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs Logan Runde (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

The Panthers are off to a red-hot start, boasting a perfect 5-0 record after sweeping Stonehill and securing a dominant 10-0 midweek victory over Bethune-Cookman on Wednesday, Feb. 19. This marks FIU's best start to a season since 2022 and the strongest under third-year head coach Rich Witten.

FIU's offense has been explosive, tallying 61 hits and 52 runs across five games—an average of 10.4 runs per contest. The Panthers have recorded three consecutive games with 10 or more runs scored. Nationally, FIU ranks 23rd in batting average (.357) and fifth in total hits (61).

Senior Brylan West has been a key catalyst at the plate, leading the team in hits (11), doubles (4), and home runs (2) from the leadoff spot. He delivered back-to-back multi-hit performances, including a solo leadoff homer against Bethune-Cookman.

Shortstop Alex Ulloa has also found his rhythm, hitting .455 (10-for-22) with three doubles, a home run, and three RBIs. He recorded a two-hit outing against Bethune-Cookman and has notched multi-hit games in his last four appearances.

Newcomer Albert Serrano has made an immediate impact, reaching base 19 times in five games while driving in eight runs. His standout defensive play—an over-the-shoulder catch in deep centerfield—earned national recognition, landing at No. 6 on ESPN's SportsCenter Top 10 and No. 3 on D1Baseball.com's Top 10 Plays of the Week. Serrano has also shown power at the plate, crushing a grand slam and a towering 430-foot, two-run homer against Stonehill. Additionally, his six hit-by-pitches are the most by any player in the NCAA this season.

Javier Crespo and Kareh Valentin have provided further offensive production, with Crespo collecting four hits over the last two games and Valentin recording five hits as FIU's starting second baseman.

The Panthers have displayed impressive power, launching 11 home runs as a team—ranked fourth nationally. Contributions have come from including West, Kishon Frett, Austin Dearing, and freshman Cole Cleveland.

FIU's pitching staff has been equally impressive. Owen Puk set a career-high with five innings pitched, allowing just one hit while striking out five against Stonehill. Logan Runde made his second start of the season versus Bethune-Cookman, tossing two scoreless innings. Easton Marks followed with three shutout frames and four strikeouts in Sunday's 12-2 win over Stonehill.

In the bullpen, David Eckaus and Kevin Martin have combined for eight innings, surrendering only three earned runs while striking out ten. Juan Villarreal was dominant in Saturday's game, fanning seven batters over four innings to earn the win. Ten different pitchers out the bullpen have taken the mound this season, with Tristan Dietrich, Bryce Greene, and Andrew Ildefonso each delivering scoreless outings against Bethune-Cookman.

HISTORY WITH DELAWARE
Friday's matchup marks just the third meeting in history between FIU and Delaware and the first-ever series between the two programs. The teams last faced off in 1980, splitting a pair of games—Delaware took the first contest 7-3 on March 26, while FIU responded with a 15-6 victory on March 28.

Starting next season, the two programs will meet annually, as Delaware is set to join Conference USA.

SCOUTING THE BLUE HENS
Delaware enters the weekend with an 0-3 record after being swept by Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton to open the season. The Blue Hens were projected to finish fifth in the CAA Preseason Poll after compiling a 31-26 record in 2024.
Through three games, Rory Finn leads Delaware's offense with four RBIs and one home run. Preseason All-CAA selections Aaron Graeber and Brett Lesher are key contributors, coming off career-best seasons in 2023.

On the mound, Delaware's projected starters include Ryan McLaughlin (Friday), Ethan Shaub (Saturday), and Doug Marose (Sunday). McLaughlin allowed two earned runs over two innings in his first start, while Shaub pitched 2.1 innings, surrendering four earned runs. Marose has yet to allow a run in his lone inning of work.

UP NEXT
FIU head to Tampa, Fla. to take on the South Florida Bulls on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. It can be streamed live on ESPN+.

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.