MIAMI — The FIU softball team (17-7) will look to continue its hot stretch this weekend, opening a three-game weekend conference series against Middle Tennessee (8-12) at 6 p.m. on Friday night at Felsberg Field.

The series, which signifies the start of Conference USA play, will see the Panthers look to extend a 10-game winning streak, which matches the 2022 team for the longest stretch since the 2017 team won 17 straight.

On top of that, FIU has matched the 2014, 2017 and 2019 teams for the program's best 24-game start since the 2010 squad started 19-5.

NATIONAL LEADERS
Kennedy Byrd (6-5, 3.30 ERA) is among the NCAA Division I leaders in five categories - second in innings pitched (76.1), 15th in games started (10), 21st in complete games (6), 26th in shutouts (2) and 29th in total appearances (14).

Brooke McNichols, who ranks 41st nationally in ERA (1.27) and 87th in shutouts (1), leads the team in ERA with a 6-1 record over 10 appearances, which includes 38.2 innings of work. Megan Kruger (3-1, 3.25 ERA) and Caity Patterson (2-0) have also contributed to the team's success in the circle.

Offensively, Kally Meredith and Collier Peaden rank in several categories nationally. 

Meredith is sixth in stolen bases (19), 11th in hits (33), 30th in stolen base percentage (.950) and 35th in runs (24), while being the 18th toughest player to strike out (every 21 at bats).

Peaden, meanwhile, is 16th in stolen bases (14), 68th in hits (27) and 70th in stolen base percentage (.778). Her .422 batting average leads the team and is 136th overall nationally.

Meredith and Peaden are a big reason for the team's offensive success so far, which includes a .310 team batting average and a .377 on base percentage. Behind Meredith's team-best 24 runs, the Panthers have pushed across 125 runs as a team.

OPPONENT OUTLOOK
Middle Tennessee has won four of their past five, although they are coming off a 4-3 non-conference loss to Florida Atlantic at home on March 3. 

The Blue Raiders, who swept a pair of games apiece against Ball State and Illinois State in their own tournament Feb. 28-March 1, have struggled offensively to the tune of a .219 team batting average. Jana Want is the lone player hitting above .245 as she's batting .345 with 14 RBIs, two home runs, two doubles and seven runs while starting all 20 contests.

In the circle, Leila Ammon leads the staff with a 2.68 ERA. She is 1-5 overall in 44.1  innings with 31 strikeouts.

UP NEXT
After Friday night's series opener, FIU will host Middle Tennessee at 6 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday. The Panthers will travel to Kennesaw State for a series next weekend.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIUSoftball), X (@FIUSoftball), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSoftball) for all the latest FIU Softball news.