MIAMI — FIU's softball program looks to improve on its historic 9-2 start this weekend, welcoming Florida A&M, Eastern Illinois and Incarnate Word to the '305' for the Panther Invitational. 

The Panthers are off to a phenomenal start in 2026, boasting a 9-2 overall record, the program's best 11-game open since 2001. FIU won a total of 44 games in 2001, its second-most in program history. Most notably, the Panthers have swept both of their ACC opponents, Louisville and Georgia Tech, and hold a 4-1 record overall against Power Four conference foes. 

FIU has received deserved recognition as one of the country's top mid-major programs, being ranked 11th in D1Softball's most recent Top 25 mid-major poll. Kally Meredith, a 2025 Second Team All-CUSA and 2026 All-CUSA Preseason selection, continues to shine offensively, racking up a CUSA-leading 18 hits and 15 runs scored, second-most in CUSA, so far this season. Additionally, Kennedy Byrd has provided a power stroke for the Panthers with six doubles, second-most in CUSA. Newcomer Leah Clark has also made a major impact offensively with team-high 11 RBI and four stolen bases. 

In the circle, the Panthers' pitching depth has shown as four different FIU pitchers have at least one win this season. Brooke McNichols leads FIU with her 1.08 ERA in two starts, surrendering just two earned runs and eight hits over 13.0 innings pitched. J'Dah Girigorie is tied for the national-lead with three saves and has 17 strikeouts in 19.0 innings thus far. Byrd has posted a 3.28 ERA and is now 4-0 in 2026. 

THE PANTHER INVITATIONAL
The Panther Invitational is FIU's second of three home tournaments in February. Following a 6-0 weekend at the Felsberg Invitational to open 2026, the Panthers welcome a new trio of teams to Baptist Health Stadium, Friday, Feb. 20-Sunday, Feb. 22. The event will have a true tournament-style format with round robin play (Feb. 20-21) followed by semifinals (Feb. 21) and a championship/consolation round (Feb. 22). A complete schedule of games can be found on FIU's home tournament page, linked here. 

SERIES HISTORIES
All-Time vs. Florida A&M: FIU leads 13-4
Home/Away/Neutral: 4-2/2-2/7-0
Last: FIU def. FAMU, 3-0, March 20, 2017 (Gainesville, Fla.)

All-Time vs. Eastern Illinois: FIU leads 3-0
Home/Away/Neutral: 3-0/0-0/0-0
Last: FIU def. Eastern Illinois, 6-0, February. 28, 2025 (Miami, Fla.)

All-Time vs. Incarnate Word: First-Ever Meeting
Home/Away/Neutral: First-Ever Meeting
Last: First-Ever Meeting

BROADCAST INFO
Feb. 20 - FIU vs. Florida A&M - 12:30 p.m. 
Network: ESPN+
PBP: Corey Brooks
Analyst: Manny Navarro

Feb. 20 - FIU vs. Eastern Illinois - 5:30 p.m.
Network: ESPN+
PBP: Ethan Eibe
Analyst: Manny Navarro

Feb. 21 - FIU vs. Incarnate Word - 12:30 p.m.
No Streaming

Feb. 21 - FIU vs. TBD (Semifinals) - 3 /5:30 p.m. 
No Streaming

Feb. 22 - FIU vs. TBD (Championship/Consolation) - 11:30 a.m.
Network: ESPN+
PBP: Ethan Eibe
Analyst: Lindsey Burroughs

HOW TO FOLLOW
Fans can follow along with all of the weekend's action on a variety of platforms. All games will have live stats, of which links can be found on the FIU tournament page here. Select games, of which are indicated on tournament page, will air on ESPN+. All FIU-specific action can be found at fiusports.com/SBStats & fiusports.com/WatchSB.

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.