MIAMI — FIU's softball program gears up for its final midweek contest of the 2026 regular season, facing off with rival-Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton at 6 p.m. on Wednesday evening.
Following a crucial Conference USA (CUSA) series win over Louisiana Tech this past weekend, the Panthers (28-13) turn their attention to a meeting with Florida Atlantic on the road to begin their week, of which features four tilts against strong competition. FIU will first take on the Owls on Wednesday night before taking on Liberty, who sits second in CUSA, this weekend.
FIU's Kennedy Byrd belted three homers in the series victory over Louisiana Tech, earning CUSA Player of the Week for her efforts. Riding a five-game hitting streak, Kally Meredith continues to shine for FIU with her .474 batting average, which leads CUSA and is 20th-best nationally. Meredith has 65 total hits, also tops in the league and 12th-best in the nation.
The pitching staff has been led by Brooke McNichols, who picked up a complete game win to open the series at Louisiana Tech and her first save of the season in the series finale. The senior has thrown five consecutive complete games, allowing three runs of less in each of them, and holds a 2.61 ERA overall.
In the two sides' previous meeting, the Panthers and Owls traded two-run homers in the first inning as Leah Clark launched a game-tying shot for FIU. Florida Atlantic, however, re-took the lead and then scored seven unanswered runs in the final three innings to claim the 10-2 victory. The Panthers left a total of eight runners on base, but mustered just three hits in the game off of Owl starter Autumn Courtney.
SERIES HISTORY
All-Time vs. Fla. Atlantic: FIU trails 66-42
Home/Away/Neutral: 18-26/23-37/1-3
Last: Fla. Atlantic def. FIU, 10-2
Streak: Fla. Atlantic W1
GAME TIMES/BROADCAST INFO (ALL TIMES ET)
Network: ESPN+
Wednesday, April 15 - 6 p.m.
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.
