MIAMI — FIU's softball program hosts its final home Conference USA (CUSA) series of the 2026 season this weekend, taking on Sam Houston, April 24-26.
The Panthers (29-16, 11-10 CUSA) host the Bearkats (29-20, 13-8 CUSA) in a crucial weekend series with CUSA Tournament qualification and seeding on the line. FIU enters the weekend in seventh place in the CUSA standings, needing two wins to clinch CUSA Tournament qualification for the first time since 2023. Sam Houston is sitting in fifth place and has already clinched a spot in the tournament, of which will be held, May 6-9 in Newark, Del.
In a look at the tournament format, the top-four seeds will automatically advance to the double elimination format of the bracket while seeds 5-8 will have a play-in round that will be single elimination.
Most recently, FIU dropped its home series with Liberty, falling in the opening and closing games of the series last weekend. With 29 wins on the season, the Panthers have equaled last season's win total and will be in search of their first 30+ win campaign since 2018. FIU's 22 home wins in 2026 are the most for the program since winning 24 at home during the 2017 season, when the Panthers won 46 games overall and advanced to the 2017 NCAA Gainesville Regional.
The Panthers continue to be led offensively by Kennedy Byrd and Kally Meredith. Byrd leads the team with 10 homers and 40 RBI, both of which are the most for any FIU player since the 2017 season when Stephanie Teixeira had 15 homers and 52 RBI. Meredith has been the catalyst at the top of the lineup, sporting a .473 batting average with 70 hits on the season. Both of these figures are tops in CUSA are in the top-15 nationally.
In the circle, Brooke McNichols has been FIU's ace this season with a 2.79 ERA and a 7-2 record overall. McNichols has now pitched five consecutive complete games, of which FIU has won four of those five starts.
The Panthers will be in search of their first-ever series win over Sam Houston, dropping 2-of-3 to the Bearkats in 2024 and 2025.
FIU will be honoring its 2026 Senior Class on Sunday prior to the game recognizing the following players as they close out their Panther careers: Kennedy Byrd, Kendall Catherwood, Kaleena Downing, Janelle Martinez, Brooke McNichols, Megan Kruger, Caity Patterson and Isabella Perez. The Senior Day ceremony will begin promptly at 10:40 a.m.
SCOUTING THE BEARKATS
The Bearkats took 2-of-3 from Louisiana Tech last weekend in Ruston and have won 6 of their 7 CUSA series this season, only falling to WKU. Offensively, Sam Houston is led by Veronica Harrison, who leads CUSA with 17 homers and a .791 slugging percentage. Sophia Lundstrom also has show her ability at the plate with a .406 batting average, fourth-best in CUSA.
In the circle, Tiffany Sanchez has been the Bearkats' ace with a 2.55 ERA overall, which drops to 2.27 in CUSA play. Additionally, her seven wins in conference play are the fifth-most of any league pitcher. Overall, Sanchez has 95 strikeouts in 96.0 innings this season.
In a look at last year's matchups, Abigail Young was excellent for the Bearkats, earning both of Sam Houston's victories in Game One and Game Three of the series. Young pitched a combined 11.0 innings and allowed just two earned runs in that span.
The weekend rotation for Sam Houston against Louisiana Tech was as follows: Tiffany Sanchez (Friday), Amy Abke (Saturday), Abigail Young (Sunday).
SERIES HISTORY
All-Time vs. Sam Houston: FIU trails 4-2
Home/Away/Neutral: 1-2/1-2/0-0
Last Matchup: Sam Houston def. FIU, 5-2 (April 6, 2025)
Streak: Sam Houston W1
Last Series: Sam Houston def. FIU, 2-1 (April 4-6, 2025)
PROMOTIONS/GIVEAWAYS
Saturday, April 25 - Fan Appreciation Day — Panther Script Mini Bats Giveaway along with Other Assorted FIU Items
Sunday, April 26 - Senior Day — Trading Card Giveaway
GAME TIMES/BROADCAST INFO (ALL TIMES ET)
Network: ESPN+
Friday, April 24 - 6 p.m.
PBP: Corey Brooks
Analyst: Lindsey Burroughs
Saturday, April 25 - 4 p.m.
PBP: Corey Brooks
Analyst: George Richards
Sunday, April 26 - 11 a.m.
PBP: Corey Brooks
Analyst: Lindsey Burroughs
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.
