MIAMI – FIU's baseball program hits the road to Jacksonville, Alabama, this weekend to face first-place Jax State in a pivotal Conference USA (CUSA) series at Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium.
 
Friday, April 17 at Jax State (30-8, 13-2 CUSA)

• Time / Site: 7 p.m. ET at Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium
• Starters: FIU LHP Preston Prince (0-3, 5.33 ERA) vs Jax State LHP Eli Pillsbury (5-0, 2.23 ERA)

Saturday, April 18 at Jax State (30-8, 13-2 CUSA)

• Time / Site: 3 p.m. ET at Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium
• Starters: FIU RHP Enrique Sierra (2-4, 5.41 ERA) vs Jax State LHP Beau Bryans (3-0, 3.86 ERA)

Sunday, April 19 at Jax State (30-8, 13-2 CUSA)

• Time / Site: Noon ET at Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium
• Starters: FIU RHP Julian Mlodzinski (3-5, 5.82 ERA) vs Jax State LHP Steven Cash (4-2, 3.35 ERA)

FIU (13-23, 5-10 CUSA) enters the weekend with momentum following a three-game sweep of Kennesaw State—its first CUSA series win and sweep of the season. The Panthers were dominant on the mound, allowing just six runs over 27 innings (1.67 ERA) during the series. FIU secured one-run victories on Friday (3-2) and Saturday (4-3), including a walk-off win, before closing out the sweep with a 7-1 victory on Sunday.

Offensively, FIU has recorded 281 hits, along with 40 homers, which ranks as fifth-most in Conference USA, and 55 doubles.  In addition, FIU leads the conference in hit-by-pitches (74) and ranks 21^st in the nation.
 
Cooper Rasmussen has been a catalyst offensively, leading the team in batting average (.330), OPS (1.027), and home runs (9) through 30 games. The junior is coming off a six-hit weekend, highlighted by a walk-off home run on Saturday. He also recorded his second three-hit game of the season on Sunday and is currently riding a team-best 21-game on-base streak. During that stretch, Rasmussen has totaled 29 hits, seven home runs, and 14 RBI.
 
Andrew Ildefonso continues to pace the Panthers with 41 hits while adding five home runs and 24 RBI. He carries an eight-game hitting streak, totaling 11 hits, three home runs, and four RBI during that span. Ildefonso is coming off a four-hit weekend against Kennesaw State, including two home runs.
 
Samuel Fischer has started all 36 games this season, batting .272 with 21 RBI and seven doubles. He leads the team with 32 walks and 14 hit-by-pitches and reached base six times during the Kennesaw State series, including a go-ahead two-run double in the opener. Fischer enters the weekend on an eight-game on-base streak.
 
Cole Cleveland has been red hot, recording nine hits over his last five games, including four multi-hit performances. The sophomore tallied five hits with an RBI and a double during the Kennesaw State series and leads the team with seven stolen bases.
 
Mario Trivella leads FIU with 29 RBI and is tied for fourth in CUSA with eight home runs. He has appeared in 35 games and reached base five times during the weekend series.
 
Behind the plate, Caden Sammler contributed three hits and three RBI during the Kennesaw State series, including a two-hit performance in Saturday's win.
 
On the mound, FIU's pitching staff turned in a standout performance against Kennesaw State, posting a 1.67 ERA with 21 strikeouts across 27 innings.
 
Preston Prince is coming off a career-best outing, tossing 7.1 innings in Friday's win—marking the longest outing by a Panther since 2021 when Garrett Rukes went nine innings on May 1, 2021. He struck out six and has now logged three consecutive starts of at least five innings, totaling 29 strikeouts over 25 innings this season.
 
Enrique Sierra delivered another strong start on Saturday, allowing one earned run over 4.1 innings with four strikeouts. He has recorded 10 strikeouts over his last nine innings of work.
 
Julian Mlodzinski leads the team with eight starts and 38.2 innings pitched. He earned the win in Sunday's finale, allowing one run over five innings with three strikeouts.
 
Out of the bullpen, Tyrus Riley has been dominant, posting a 2.51 ERA with 30 strikeouts over 28.2 innings while recording two saves during the Kennesaw State series. Jordan Vargas has not allowed an earned run over his last seven innings, while Bryce Turner has not surrendered a run in his last four appearances. George Adams earned his first win of the season in Saturday's contest.

HISTORY WITH THE GAMECOCKS
This weekend marks the 18th, 19th, and 20th all-time meetings between the two programs, dating back to 1995.
 
FIU took two of three from Jacksonville State last season in Miami. In their last trip to Alabama, the Panthers dropped the series but salvaged the finale with a win on April 7, 2024.

SCOUTING JAX STATE
Jax State enters as the top team in Conference USA at 30-8 overall and 13-2 in league play, despite coming off a road series loss at Liberty this past weekend. The Gamecocks opened conference action with 12 straight wins, highlighted by a notable midweek victory over No. 15 Auburn.

Offensively, seven Gamecocks are hitting above .300, led by Cooper Blauser, who ranks second on the team with 41 RBI. He is tied for the team lead in doubles (12) while adding three home runs and two triples. Grayson Asche has been a consistent force in the lineup, leading CUSA with 46 RBI while batting .326 with seven home runs across 36 starts. Caleb Johnson has contributed 32 RBI with 12 doubles and five home runs, while Jaxon Pate leads the team with 46 hits. Trey King has added 22 RBI this season.

On the mound, Eli Pillsbury has been dominant, posting a 2.23 ERA over a team-high 48.1 innings with 59 strikeouts and a 5-0 record. Steven Cash has made nine starts, recording 52 strikeouts with a 3.35 ERA, while Beau Bryans holds a 3.86 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 30.1 innings pitched.

Out of the bullpen, Skyler Butto leads Conference USA with eight saves, compiling a 1.33 ERA and 29 strikeouts across 27 innings. Chase Horst has yet to allow an earned run in 15.2 innings, and Jackson Sleeper owns a 3.00 ERA over 27 innings.

UP NEXT
FIU prepares for game two of the series on Saturday, April 18 at 7 p.m.. It will be streamed live on ESPN+ from Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium.

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

BAPTIST HEALTH
The 2026 FIU baseball season is 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.