LAS CRUCES, N.M. — FIU's softball program is set for a trip west this weekend to take on New Mexico State in Conference USA (CUSA) action, March 20-22.
The Panthers (22-6, 4-2 CUSA) have a pivotal road series with the Aggies (14-15, 4-2 CUSA) Friday-Sunday in a matchup of two of the top-four teams in the current CUSA standings. FIU is currently riding a four-game win streak in CUSA play, defeating Delaware in the final game of its conference opening series on March 8 before sweeping UTEP in a three-game series at home last weekend.
Most recently, the Panthers fell in a tightly-contested matchup to 25th-ranked UCF on Wednesday, 3-1. J'dah Girigorie delivered a masterful performance in the circle against the visiting-Knights, throwing a complete game while allowing just two earned runs against a strong UCF offense. FIU mounted a rally in the final inning, scoring its lone run in the final frame, before bringing the winning run to the plate twice, but was unable to capitalize on the late-game opportunities.
Overall, Kally Meredith has led the offensive effort with her .538 batting average on the season, of which ranks sixth-best in the NCAA and tops in CUSA. Meredith is also fourth-nationally in hits with 49 on the season, 20th in on-base percentage (.584) and 27th in runs scored (35). Leah Clark has been dynamic on the base paths for FIU with her four triples, sixth-best nationally, and her 21 stolen bases, fourth-best nationally. Defensively, catcher Isabella Perez threw out three runners in the first three innings against UCF, bringing her season total to 10 runners caught stealing, fourth-most nationally.
As a team, the Panthers are seventh-nationally with 2.50 stolen bases per game and 41st-overall and second in CUSA with 247 hits on the season. The pitching staff boasts a 2.61 strikeout-to-walk ratio, of which is first in CUSA and 22nd-nationally.
FIU will be in search of its first road series win Las Cruces since 2003, when the Panthers swept the Aggies, April 5-7. More recently, the two sides met in Miami last season with FIU taking 2-of-3 from NMSU at home, March 21-23.
The Panthers won Game One, 8-6, behind a three-run homer from Kennedy Byrd. In the series opener, FIU touched up Aggie starter Faith Aragon, who went just three innings and surrendered four runs and walked three. The Panthers fell in Game Two, 6-0, as Brooke McNichols and Jewelie Vanderkous combined for all 7.0 innings in the circle.
FIU edged out NMSU in the series finale, 3-2, thanks to a strong outing from Megan Kruger, who pitched a complete game and allowed just four hits and two earned runs. Down 2-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth, Paige Miller delivered a two-RBI single to tie the game and Meredith beat out an infield single, driving in the eventual game-winning run.
SCOUTING THE AGGIES
New Mexico State lost 2-of-3 to Sam Houston in its last CUSA series, falling in the final two games of the three game set in Huntsville, Texas. The Aggies will be in search of their second-straight home CUSA series win to start the season, after sweeping Louisiana Tech in Las Cruces, March 6-8.
Aragon, a two-way player, has been the key cog for the Aggies throughout the 2026 season. She currently holds a 2.89 ERA in the circle and has an 11-5 record in 92.0 innings pitched. Aragon leads the league in batters stuck out with 116 and ranks within the top-10 in opponent batting average, innings pitched and ERA. At the plate, she has been equally impressive, with a .437 batting average, sixth-best in CUSA, and has a team-high nine doubles along with six homers.
Devin Elam has also been a strong hitter for NM State, sporting a .405 average and a team-high eight homers. In the circle, other than Aragon, fans can also expect to see Jaileen Mancha who has pitched 32.0 innings so far this season. Last season, the Aggies dropped just one of their five CUSA series at home.
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
SERIES HISTORY
All-Time vs. NM State: FIU leads 17-12
Home/Away/Neutral: 8-3/8-7/1-2
Last: FIU def. NMSU, 3-2 (March 23, 2025)
Streak: FIU W1
GAME TIMES/BROADCAST INFO (ALL TIMES ET)
Network: No Video Streaming
Radio: fiusports.com/listen
Friday, March 20 - 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 21 - 6 p.m.
Sunday, March 22 - 12:30 p.m.
HOW TO FOLLOW
All links to live action can be found at fiusports.com/SBStats & fiusports.com/listen.
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.
