MIAMI - FIU's softball program makes a trip to the Pelican State this weekend for a Conference USA (CUSA) series on the road in Ruston, La., taking on Louisiana Tech, Friday-Sunday.

Following a sweep of Kennesaw State at home last weekend, the Panthers (26-12, 8-7 CUSA) will look to continue their winning streak in a clash against the Bulldogs (21-18, 7-8 CUSA), of which will play a pivotal role in the current CUSA standings. FIU, at 8-7, enters the weekend tied-fifth in the league standings, while La Tech sits eighth, but is just one game back from FIU at 7-8. 

The Panthers are set on improving their record on the road, having lost 2-of-3 in both of their CUSA series away from home this season. La Tech has enjoyed most of its success at home this season, sporting an 11-5 record overall in Ruston, of which includes a 5-1 mark at home in CUSA play. 

FIU's pitching staff delivered a standout weekend in its sweep of Kennesaw State last weekend, allowing just seven combined runs in three games. Brooke McNichols pitched a complete game in the series opener, allowing just two earned runs while striking out three on 85 pitches. J'dah Girigorie followed that with a complete game five-hitter in the series finale to finish off the sweep. 

Offensively, the Panthers continue to be paced by Kally Meredith, who leads CUSA in batting average (.472), runs scored (40) and hits (59) and ranks second in on-base percentage (.515). FIU's prowess on the base paths continues to shine as Leah Clark (26) and Meredith (19) ranks top-two in CUSA in stolen bases and the Panthers lead the league by a wide margin with 88 stolen bases as a team. 

FIU is just 3-6 in Ruston all-time, but will look to repeat its last series performance at Louisiana Tech, taking 2-of-3 games from the Bulldogs to conclude the 2024 season, May 3-4. 

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Louisiana Tech enters this weekend as winners of three of its last four CUSA series, most recently winning 2-of-3 at Middle Tennessee last weekend, April 2-4. The high-powered Bulldog offense scored a combined 28 runs in three games in Murfreesboro. 

In the circle, the Bulldogs are anchored by ace Allie Floyd, who holds a 2.82 ERA (sixth in CUSA) and has struck out 86 batters (fourth in CUSA) in 111.2 innings (fourth in CUSA). 

Elena Heng leads the Louisiana Tech lineup with her .385 batting average and 47 hits on the season. Allie Furr also has been an on-base machine with a .425 on-base percentage and .381 average. Bradi Gallaway and Reagan Marchant lead the team in RBI with 36 and 34, respectively. This duo has also combined for 20 of La Tech's 30 homers this season. 

In last weekend's series with MTSU, the La Tech pitching rotation was as follows: Laney Johnson (Friday), Allie Floyd (Saturday) and Bryannah Campos (Sunday). 

SERIES HISTORY
All-Time vs. Louisiana Tech: FIU leads 15-10
Home/Away/Neutral: 10-3/3-6/2-1
Last: La Tech def. FIU, 5-4 (April 13, 2025)
Streak: La Tech W1
Last Series: FIU def. La Tech, 2-1 (Miami, Fla.)

GAME TIMES/BROADCAST INFO (ALL TIMES ET)
Network: ESPN+
Friday, April 10 - 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 11 - 3 p.m.
Sunday, April 12 - Noon

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
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