MIAMI — FIU's softball program hosts in-state rival Florida Atlantic in non-conference play on Wednesday at 6 p.m. from Baptist Health Stadium.
The Panthers (23-8) take on the Owls (21-11) under the lights on Wednesday night on Felsberg Field in search of their second-straight win over Florida Atlantic. This matchup pits two of the nation's strongest mid-major programs as each are ranked within the top-25 in the mid-major poll by D1Softball and are top-60 in NCAA RPI. FIU defeated Fla. Atlantic at home last season on April 2, 5-2, snapping an eight-game losing streak to the Owls that dated back to 2022.
Following a series finale win over New Mexico State last Sunday, the Panthers open up a seven-game homestand on Wednesday, hosting Fla. Atlantic before having back-to-back pivotal Conference USA (CUSA) series with Jacksonville State (March 27-29) and Kennesaw State (April 2-4).
Brooke McNichols provided a dazzling performance in the circle in FIU's last game, pitching a complete game and allowing just one earned run on 116 pitches. She quieted the NMSU offense that had scored 18 combined runs in the first two games, allowing the Panthers to secure a 4-2 win. Kennedy Byrd and Daley Alsobrook each launched solo homers in the win to pace the offense.
Overall, FIU has enjoyed most of its success this season at home, sporting an 18-2 record on its home field. The Panthers are still anchored by Kally Meredith offensively at the top of the lineup with her .520 batting average, of which is 10th-best nationally. Additionally, Meredith has collected 52 totals hits, sixth-most in the country. On the base paths, Leah Clark continues to shine with her 21 stolen bases, seventh-most nationally and tops in CUSA. Janelle Martinez has provided some power for the Panthers this season with 11 doubles, second-most in CUSA.
As a team, FIU is 12th-nationally in stolen bases with 72 and 34th-best in team batting average (.337) and hits (277). The Panther pitching staff has been very efficient this season with a 2.6 strikeout-to-walk-ratio, of which leads CUSA, and a 1.32 WHIP, second-best in CUSA.
FIU's home victory against Fla. Atlantic last season came at a time when the Owls were 32-5 overall and ranked-21st in the country. Megan Kruger allowed just two earned runs, scattering 12 hits, to earn the victory. Sammy Zelenka had two RBI in the contest, launching a ground-rule double that scored two to give FIU a 4-2 advantage. Kennedy Byrd also had an RBI in the game. FIU trailed 2-0 after the Owls' first at-bat, but did not surrender a run for the remainder of the game, winning by a 5-2 final score.
SCOUTING THE OWLS
The Owls enter this tilt having lost their last two series in American Conference play. Much like FIU, Fla. Atlantic has had much more success at home with a 13-2 home record compared to a 4-5 record on the road.
Fla. Atlantic has been outstanding in the field this season with a .982 fielding percentage, best among American teams and seventh-best nationally. The Owls have also shown an ability to produce extra base hits with 52 doubles as a team, tops among American teams and 37th-best in the nation.
Individually, Jesiana Mora and Kylie Hammonds stand out on the offensive side. Mora has a .405 average with nine doubles and five homers with a team-best 27 RBI. Hammonds is batting .372 with a team-high seven homers and a .496 on-base percentage. Five different Owls have at least four homers on the season.
In the circle, Autumn Courtney is Fla. Atlantic's top option with a 2.48 ERA in 14 games started. Ainsley Lambert has also been solid with a 2.87 ERA in 19 appearances, 18 in relief, and has struck out 25 batters in 39.0 innings.
Mora and Hammonds each had two hits in last season's game at FIU with Mora providing an RBI double. Lambert appeared briefly in relief and pitched 0.1 scoreless innings.
FIU IN THE RANKINGS
NCAA RPI: 42
Diamond Sports Mid-Major Rankings: 22
D1 Softball Mid-Major Poll: 23
FLA. ATLANTIC IN THE RANKINGS
NCAA RPI: 56
Diamond Sports Mid-Major Rankings: 14
D1 Softball Mid-Major Poll: 23
SERIES HISTORY
All-Time vs. Fla. Atlantic: FIU trails 65-42
Home/Away/Neutral: 18-25/23-37/1-3
Last: FIU def. Fla. Atlantic, 5-2 (April 2, 2025)
Streak: FIU W1
GAME TIMES/BROADCAST INFO (ALL TIMES ET)
Network: ESPN+
Wednesday, March 25 - 6 p.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.
