MIAMI – FIU's baseball program fell 10-5 to Dallas Baptist in the series opener Friday evening at FIU Baseball Stadium in Conference USA (CUSA) play.
 
FIU (13-28, 5-14 CUSA) held a 5-3 lead entering the ninth inning before surrendering seven runs as the Patriots rallied for the win.
 
The Panthers came out strong, scoring three runs in the first inning. With two outs, Samuel Fischer delivered an RBI single to score Cooper Rasmussen and give FIU a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, with runners on second and third, Caden Sammler laced a two-run double to left field, scoring Fischer and Mario Trivella to extend the lead to 3-0.
 
Dallas Baptist chipped away, scoring on a solo home run in the fourth and an infield RBI single in the fifth to cut the deficit to 3-2.
 
FIU responded in the sixth, as Aidan Cohall and Sammler each singled before Marc Hersh drove both runners in with a double to left-center field, pushing the lead to 5-2. The Patriots added a run in the seventh before erupting for seven runs in the ninth to take control of the game.
 
On the mound, Preston Prince turned in a strong outing, tossing 6.1 innings while allowing three earned runs and striking out a career-high 10 batters—the most by a Panther since 2022. He has now logged six or more innings in three consecutive starts, totaling 18.2 innings over that stretch.
 
Tyrus Riley followed with 1.2 innings, allowing four earned runs while striking out three. Jordan Vargas and Rene Lastres also saw action in relief.
 
Offensively, FIU recorded 10 hits, highlighted by Caden Sammler's first career three-hit game as he continues his hot stretch with 12 hits over his last seven games. Marc Hersh reached base three times, collecting a single and double for his third multi-hit performance of the season. Cole Cleveland added a single and a walk, while Fischer and Trivella each contributed hits.

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.

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BAPTIST HEALTH
The 2026 FIU baseball season is presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics

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