MIAMI – The FIU baseball program gears up for a critical three-game Conference USA series this weekend, hosting the No. 17 ranked Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at FIU Baseball Stadium.

Friday, April 25 vs No. 17 Western Kentucky (34-7 (11-4 CUSA)

• Time / Site: 6:30 p.m. ET at FIU Baseball Stadium

Saturday, April 26 vs No. 17 Western Kentucky (34-7 (11-4 CUSA)

• Time / Site: 5 p.m. ET at FIU Baseball Stadium

Sunday, April 27 vs No. 17 Western Kentucky (34-7 (11-4 CUSA)

• Time / Site: 12 p.m. ET at FIU Baseball Stadium

The Panthers (23-18, 6-8 CUSA) enter the series with momentum after a thrilling 5-4 extra-inning victory over crosstown rival Miami on Wednesday, April 23.

The walk-off win marked FIU's 19th home victory of the season, their second straight win over the Hurricanes this year, and third in the last four matchups. It was also the Panthers' first home win over Miami since March 7, 2018. Senior Brylan West delivered the game-winning RBI single in the 10th inning.

With only four conference series remaining, FIU currently sits seventh in the CUSA standings. The Panthers are coming off a road sweep of Kennesaw State last weekend.

Offensively, FIU ranks among the league's best, hitting .282 as a team—fifth in CUSA. The Panthers have driven in 272 runs (third in C-USA), collected 633 total bases (fourth), and launched 54 home runs—second in the league and 50th nationally.

Senior slugger Kishon Frett continues to dominate, leading FIU in home runs (16), RBI (33), triples (2), OPS (1.190), and slugging percentage (.716). His 15th homer of the season, hit April 18 at Kennesaw State, made him the conference leader in homers during CUSA play (9) and seventh nationally. On April 22 at FGCU, he tied his career high in home runs and also set a new FIU single-season record with 21 hit-by-pitches—ranking fifth in the nation.

Brylan West has also been a standout, pacing the team with 54 hits, while adding eight home runs and 22 RBI. West enters the weekend on a 17-game on-base streak, hitting .342 (13-for-38) over his last 10 games. He currently leads the team in batting average at .340 and tallied his 17th multi-hit game of the season with a three-hit effort against Miami.

Austin Dearing boasts a .319 average overall and ranks second in CUSA with a .432 average in conference play. He's recorded 13 hits, four RBI, and two doubles over his last 10 games.

Alex Ulloa, the only Panther to start all 41 games, leads the team in doubles (10) and is second in RBI (30).

Javier Crespo has emerged as a valuable contributor, batting .323 across 33 games with 15 RBI, including five hits in his last four outings.
 
Andrew Ildefonso, FIU's primary designated hitter, is batting .337 with nine doubles and 30 RBI. He tallied four RBI, including a three-run homer, on April 22 at FGCU and followed with a two-run single against Miami.

Freshman Cole Cleveland has found his rhythm recently, notching four hits and three RBI—including his first career triple—over the past three games. He's scored 23 runs in 21 starts this season.

Brendan Roney has started 19 games behind the plate and is hitting .270. He reached base three times with two hits in the win over Miami.

On the mound, FIU's pitching staff leads C-USA with 408 strikeouts—17th in the nation—and has reached double-digit strikeouts in 21 games this season.
 
Easton Marks delivered a career-best start on April 18 at Kennesaw State, tossing seven innings with one earned run and eight strikeouts. He leads the team in ERA (3.67), innings pitched (49), and is tied for the team lead in strikeouts (56). In conference play, Marks ranks seventh in innings and ninth in strikeouts.

Juan Villarreal has struck out 56 over 41 innings, posting a 6-2 record in 15 appearances. He pitched two scoreless innings in relief against Miami.

Owen Puk has allowed only three earned runs over his last 19 innings, racking up 33 strikeouts. In 10 starts this season, he's totaled 49 strikeouts. He notched a career-high nine strikeouts in four innings against New Mexico State on April 12, and six more in three innings at Kennesaw State on April 18.

Kevin Martin has been steady out of the bullpen, allowing just three earned runs over his last eight innings and posting a 4.39 ERA in 14 appearances. He tossed a scoreless inning against Miami.

Logan Runde has made 13 appearances (nine starts), and recently provided 3.1 innings of relief with one earned run at FGCU.

Jaydon Bishop has allowed just three earned runs in 8.1 innings with six strikeouts. He made his first career start on April 22 at FGCU, surrendering one run in two innings.

Jarek Woodward started against Miami and pitched two scoreless innings. He holds a 4.62 ERA across 12 appearances.

HISTORY WITH THE HILLTOPPERS
Friday's series opener marks the 86th all-time meeting between FIU and Western Kentucky. Last season, the Panthers won three of five games against the Hilltoppers, including a series win in Bowling Green.

FIU also earned a 7-5 victory in the opening round of the 2024 CUSA Championship on May 22, powered by home runs from West and a multi-homer effort from Frett.
 
SCOUTING WESTERN KENTUCKY
Western Kentucky (34-7, 11-4 CUSA) is currently atop the conference standings. The Hilltoppers opened the season 20-1—the best start in program history.
 
Ryan Wideman leads the WKU offense with a .420 average, 44 RBI, 18 doubles, and a conference-best 71 hits. Carlos Vasquez is batting .361 with 26 RBI and two home runs, while Kyles Hayes paces the team with seven homers and 34 RBI.
 
WKU boasts a nation-best team ERA of 2.85. Drew Whalen leads the staff with a 1.86 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 53.1 innings over 10 starts. Jack Bennett holds a 1.87 ERA across nine starts. Cal Higgins has recorded five saves out of the bullpen, and Lucas Hartman owns a 1.67 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 32.1 innings.
 
UP NEXT
FIU heads to Boca Raton, Fla. for a midweek contest at Florida Atlantic on Tuesday, April 29. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. and can be streamed on FAUSports.TV.

BAPTIST HEALTH
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SOCIAL MEDIA
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