MIAMI — FIU's softball program will take on No. 25 UCF for a midweek, in-state battle in non-conference action on Wednesday, March 18 at 11 a.m. from Baptist Health Stadium.
The Panthers (22-5) host the Knights (23-7) on Wednesday afternoon in a matchup of two of the Sunshine State's top softball programs in 2026. FIU enters this tilt riding a four-game win streak in Conference USA (CUSA) play following a weekend sweep of UTEP at home. The Panthers will look to continue their winning ways at home as FIU is 18-1 at its home diamond this season.
Last weekend, Kally Meredith delivered a standout performance for FIU, going 9-for-10 in the series, adding three RBI and three stolen bases to anchor the top of the lineup. Janelle Martinez also was instrumental in the offensive effort, racking up seven RBI with at least two RBI in each of FIU's three wins. In total, the Panthers outscored the Miners 24-8 in the three-game set.
FIU will be in search of its first win over UCF since 2019, when the Panthers defeated the Knights 4-1 on the road on April 24. FIU's lone home victory against UCF came in its first-ever meeting with the Knights, winning 3-2 on Feb. 2, 2005.
SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS
Looking at UCF, the Knights won their Big 12-opening series over 12th-ranked Oklahoma State on the road, claiming 2-of-3 in Stillwater, Okla. UCF dropped 2-of-3 in their most recent series, however, losing the final two games to visiting-Baylor last weekend in Orlando.
Kendall Yarnell leads the UCF offense with a .420 batting average and .512 on-base percentage. Yarnell leads all Big-12 hitters in triples and is in the top-10 in the league in average, slugging and on-base percentage. Izzy Mertes has made an impact at the plate as well, knocking out a team-high 18 extra-base hits with 11 doubles and seven homers.
The Knights' pitching staff has been strong this season as well, sporting a 2.42 ERA as a staff. UCF's main trio of Ava Steuwe, Isabella Vega and Hildie Dempsey each have four or more wins on the season. Vega is the Knights' top arm, sporting an 8-3 overall record with four complete games in 17 appearances. Vega has struck out 53 batters in 62.0 innings and is holding opponents to a .197 batting average.
FIU IN THE RANKINGS
NCAA RPI: 37
Softball America Mid-Major Poll: 16
Diamond Sports Mid-Major Rankings: 15
D1 Softball Mid-Major Poll: 20
UCF IN THE RANKINGS
NCAA RPI: 26
ESPN / USA Softball: 25
D1 Softball: 22
Softball America: 21
NFCA Coaches: RV
SERIES HISTORY
All-Time vs. UCF: FIU trails 10-5
Home/Away/Neutral: 1-5/3-2/1-3
Last: UCF def. FIU, 9-1 (5), April 11, 2023 (Orlando, Fla.)
Streak: FIU L5
GAME TIME/BROADCAST INFO
ESPN+
Wednesday, March 18 - 11 a.m.
PBP: Corey Brooks
Analyst: George Richards
HOW TO FOLLOW
All links to live action can be found at fiusports.com/SBStats & fiusports.com/WatchSB.
BAPTIST HEALTH
The 2026 FIU Softball season is presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics.
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.
