MIAMI – FIU's baseball program returns home this weekend to host Dallas Baptist for a key Conference USA (CUSA) series at FIU Baseball Stadium.

Friday, April 24 vs Dallas Baptist (23-18, 12-6 CUSA)

• Time / Site: 6 p.m. ET at FIU Baseball Stadium
• Starters: DBU TBA vs FIU LHP Preston Prince (0-3, 4.31 ERA)

Saturday, April 25 vs Dallas Baptist (23-18, 12-6 CUSA)

• Time / Site: 3 p.m. ET at FIU Baseball Stadium
• Starters: DBU TBA vs FIU TBA
• Vice Upside Down Hats

Sunday, April 26 vs Dallas Baptist (23-18, 12-6 CUSA)

• Time / Site: Noon ET at FIU Baseball Stadium
• Starters: DBU TBA vs FIU RHP Julian Mlodzinski (3-6, 5.24 ERA)
• Kids Day

FIU (13-27, 5-13 CUSA) opens a four-game homestand looking to bounce back after dropping its last four contests, including a road sweep at Jacksonville State and a 10-9 extra-inning loss at FGCU on Tuesday. The Panthers held a 9-8 lead in the 12th inning before FGCU scored twice to walk it off.
 
As a team, FIU has totaled 303 hits and 41 home runs—ranking fifth in CUSA—while also leading the conference with 78 hit-by-pitches, a mark that ranks among the top 35 nationally.
 
Andrew Ildefonso leads the Panthers with 45 hits, adding nine doubles, five home runs, and 25 RBI while appearing in all 40 games this season. He recorded a multi-hit performance at FGCU, tying for the team lead with 11 multi-hit games.
 
Cooper Rasmussen continues to be a steady presence atop the lineup, reaching base in 23 of his last 25 games. He is tied for the team lead with nine home runs and has driven in 18 RBI.
 
Mario Trivella paces FIU with 34 RBI and is also tied for the team lead with nine home runs, ranking among the top 10 in CUSA. He has driven in five runs over his last four games.
 
Samuel Fischer has started all 40 games this season, batting .271 with 23 RBI and eight doubles. He tallied two hits, including a two-run double, at FGCU and leads the team with 34 walks while also being hit by 14 pitches.
 
Caden Sammler has been productive behind the plate, recording nine hits over his last six games, including three multi-hit performances. He added an RBI triple at FGCU and recorded a hit in each game at Jacksonville State.
 
Cole Cleveland has appeared in 34 games, totaling 16 RBI and three home runs. The sophomore has collected 11 hits over his last nine games, continuing his recent surge at the plate.
 
On the mound, FIU has logged 347.1 innings with 313 strikeouts. Preston Prince leads the team with 33 strikeouts in 31.1 innings and is coming off a strong outing, tossing six scoreless innings at Jacksonville State. He has now recorded back-to-back starts of six or more innings.
 
Julian Mlodzinski leads the team with 44.2 innings across nine starts and is coming off a six-inning performance in his last outing.
 
Out of the bullpen, Tyrus Riley has posted a 3.09 ERA with 34 strikeouts over 32 innings. Jordan Vargas has not allowed a run over his last seven innings in conference play, while George Adams recently delivered two scoreless innings at FGCU. Jeremy Urena is coming off a strong relief outing with six strikeouts over four innings.

HISTORY WITH THE PATRIOTS
This weekend marks the 14th, 15th, and 16th all-time meetings between FIU and Dallas Baptist, and their fourth series as CUSA opponents.
 
Dallas Baptist holds a 12-1 advantage in the all-time series and swept both last season's matchup in Dallas and the most recent series in Miami in 2024.

SCOUTING DBU
Dallas Baptist enters the weekend with a 23-18 overall record and a 12-6 mark in CUSA, sitting fourth in the conference standings. The Patriots are coming off a series loss to Liberty and a midweek defeat to TCU.
 
Offensively, DBU is hitting .289 as a team. Chayton Krauss leads the way with a .292 average, 50 hits, 12 home runs, and 44 RBI. Ryan Martin has added 12 home runs and 37 RBI while batting .288. Jake Bennett has recorded 11 home runs and 31 RBI in 27 games, and Cooper Neville has totaled 48 hits this season.
 
On the mound, Ryan Borberg has made 10 starts with a 5.35 ERA over 37 innings, while Jared Schaeffer holds a 6.11 ERA across 45.2 innings in 10 starts. Athan Kroll leads the team with eight saves in 19 appearances, while Aiden VanDeHatert and Max Luzarraga provide depth out of the bullpen, with Luzarraga posting a 3.46 ERA.

UP NEXT
FIU prepares for game two of the series on Saturday, April 25 at 3 p.m.. It will be streamed live on ESPN+ from FIU Baseball 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.