MIAMI – The FIU baseball program returns home for a crosstown clash, hosting the Miami Hurricanes on Wednesday evening at FIU Baseball Stadium.

Wednesday, March 18 vs Miami (14-6)

• Time / Site: 6 p.m. ET at FIU Baseball Stadium
• Starters: Miami LHP Sebastian Santos-Olson (0-0, 3.68 ERA) vs FIU RHP Quin McManmon (0-1, 11.00 ERA)

Wednesday's matchup will mark the first of three meetings between the programs this season. The final two contests will take place at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field in Coral Gables on April 7 and May 5.
 
The game will also feature a special ceremonial first pitch from award-winning Latin Grammy and Billboard group Gente de Zona prior to first pitch.
 
FIU (7-14) enters the midweek matchup following its opening Conference USA (CUSA) series at Western Kentucky as the Panthers were swept. 
 
Offensively, FIU has recorded 179 hits as a team while ranking among the conference leaders in extra-base production. The Panthers rank fourth in CUSA with 42 doubles and fifth with 29 home runs. FIU also leads the conference with 49 hit-by-pitches, which ranks among the top 10 nationally.
 
Andrew Ildefonso leads the Panthers with 27 hits and carries a .300 batting average while ranking second on the team with 19 RBI and seven doubles. The redshirt sophomore is currently on a six-game hitting streak, recording 10 hits during that span, including an RBI triple at Western Kentucky.
 
Samuel Fischer has started all 21 games this season, primarily at third base, and leads the team with a .309 batting average and a 1.010 OPS among qualified hitters. He also tops the Panthers with nine hit-by-pitches.
 
Aidan Cohall continues to pace the team in extra-base hits with 12 doubles, which leads Conference USA and is tied for third nationally. The redshirt junior recorded three doubles during the weekend series at Western Kentucky and currently has 14 RBI on the season.
 
Luca Reyes leads FIU with 20 RBI through 21 games and is coming off a four-hit weekend against the Hilltoppers that included two multi-hit performances. Reyes also blasted his fifth home run of the season on March 13.
 
Mario Trivella provides power in the middle of the lineup with a team-leading six home runs—tied for fifth in CUSA—along with 18 RBI in 21 games.
 
Since returning to the lineup, Cooper Rasmussen has caught fire at the plate, riding a six-game hitting streak with nine hits during the stretch, including three multi-hit performances. He also recorded five hits during the series at Western Kentucky, highlighted by a two-run home run on March 14.
 
On the mound, FIU has recorded 176 strikeouts across 183.2 innings pitched, ranking among the top five in Conference USA.
 
Julian Mlodzinski leads the pitching staff with 20.1 innings pitched, including a career-high five innings in Sunday's start at Western Kentucky. Out of the bullpen, Tyrus Riley holds a 1.80 ERA across 15 innings while striking out four over three innings of work on March 14.
 
George Adams leads the Panthers with 22 strikeouts across five starts this season. Enrique Sierra also turned in a strong performance last weekend, tossing a career-high 3.2 innings with four strikeouts. Jeremy Urena added an inning of relief on March 13.

HISTORY WITH THE HURRICANES
Wednesday's game will mark the 142nd all-time meeting between FIU and Miami, with the Hurricanes holding a 110-31 advantage in the series.
 
Last season, FIU split the four-game season series with Miami, earning victories at FIU Baseball Stadium on April 23 and in Coral Gables on April 2.

SCOUTING MIAMI
Miami enters the midweek matchup with a 14-6 overall record after dropping a weekend series to Duke in North Carolina.
 
Offensively, Derek Williams leads the Hurricanes with 30 hits, along with 27 RBI, seven home runs and 14 extra-base hits. Daniel Cuvet has also produced power in the lineup with seven home runs and 22 RBI through 20 games.
 
Former Panther Brylan West will make his return to FIU Baseball Stadium after spending two seasons with the Panthers. West is currently hitting .381 with 18 RBI for Miami.
 
On the mound, Rob Evans leads Miami with a 3.51 ERA and 36 strikeouts. In the bullpen, Lazaro Collera holds a 3.78 ERA while Jake Dorn has appeared in 10 games with a 4.91 ERA.

UP NEXT
FIU will host the Sam Houston Bearkats this weekend from March 20 - March 22 for their first CUSA home series. It'll be streamed live on ESPN+ from FIU Baseball Stadium.

TICKETS
For more information on FIU tickets to FIU home games, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit HERE. 

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 X and @FIU.Baseball on Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUAthletics on X and Instagram.