LAS CRUCES, N.M. – FIU's baseball program closed out the regular season with an offensive explosion, securing a 30–21 victory over New Mexico State in Conference USA (CUSA) play.
The 30 runs are the most scored in a single game since March 23, 2002, while the 28 hits are the most FIU has recorded in a game since March 29, 2016. The performance also marks the most combined runs in a single game this season in Conference USA.
FIU's 30 RBI set a new program record, surpassing the previous mark of 29 RBI set vs. Spring Arbor on April 2, 1980.
The Panthers had four players record multi-hit performances, highlighted by career afternoons from
Andrew Ildefonso and
Aidan Cohall, who each collected five hits. The duo combined for 14 RBI, three home runs, and two doubles.
FIU (19–35, 10–20 CUSA) trailed 11–7 entering the seventh inning before erupting for 11 runs in the frame to take control and secure its third straight series win over New Mexico State, closing the season with a series victory.
The Panthers jumped out early as
Mario Trivella and
Cooper Rasmussen reached base, setting the stage for
Andrew Ildefonso's three-run home run to center field, his eighth of the season, to give FIU a 3–0 lead. New Mexico State answered with a run-scoring groundout in the first before FIU responded with three runs in the second. Ildefonso delivered a two-run single to right field, and
Aidan Cohall followed with an RBI single to extend the lead to 6–1.
The Aggies countered with two runs in the second on a double and groundout, then added another in the third to cut the deficit to 6–4. After
Samuel Fischer reached second on a double,
Cooper Rasmussen added an RBI double to right-center, pushing FIU ahead 7–4.
New Mexico State rallied with four runs in the fourth, followed by two in the fifth and one in the sixth to take an 11–7 lead into the seventh.
FIU's offense then delivered its biggest inning of the season. After three straight singles from Ildefonso, Cohall, and
Caden Sammler,
Cole Cleveland launched his first career grand slam to center field for his fourth home run of the season, tying the game. The momentum continued as
Marc Hersh singled and
Luca Reyes walked, setting up
Samuel Fischer's RBI single to right field that gave FIU a 12–11 lead.
A
Cooper Rasmussen RBI walk made it 13–11, before Ildefonso added another RBI single. Cohall followed with a two-run double into right-center for his team-leading 19th double of the season. Sammler added an RBI double, and Hersh capped the 11-run inning with an RBI single to push the lead to 18–11.
New Mexico State answered with two runs in the bottom half, but FIU's offense struck again in the eighth. With two runners on, Ildefonso recorded his fifth hit of the day, a three-run home run, his second of the game, while Cohall also homered to right-center for his fourth hit.
Hector Candelas added a two-run single to extend the lead to 24–13.
The Aggies responded with six runs in the bottom of the eighth, but FIU answered once again with six more in the ninth. Cohall ripped a double down the right-field line for his 20th double of the season, while Hersh and
Tracen Cameron each delivered two-run doubles to push the lead to 30–19. New Mexico State added a two-run home run in the final frame.
Offensively, FIU recorded 28 hits, with multiple players setting career highs. Ildefonso finished with five hits, two home runs, and nine RBI, reaching base six times. Cohall added a five-hit performance with two doubles, a home run, and five RBI. Rasmussen posted a four-hit game with three RBI and two doubles. Hersh collected four hits, three RBI, and a double. Fischer added two hits, an RBI, and a double. Trivella was hit by three pitches and added a single, while Sammler totaled four hits with a double and RBI.
On the mound,
Jordan Vargas made the start, allowing four earned runs over three innings.
Tyrus Riley and
Enrique Sierra each worked an inning, while
Cooper Foster earned the win after 1.2 innings of relief.
Matthew DelVecchio recorded an out, and
Rene Lastres along with
Mason Koczwara also saw action out of the bullpen.
POSTGAME NOTES
- The 30 RBI set a new FIU program record, surpassing the previous mark of 29 vs. Spring Arbor (April 2, 1980).
- The 30 runs are the most in a single game since March 23, 2002.
- Cohall and Ildefonso each recorded career-high five-hit performances.
- Ildefonso's nine RBI are the most by a FIU player in a single game this season.
- Cohall finished the season with 20 doubles, the most in a single season since Brian Portelli (2015).
- Four Panthers recorded four-hit games: Cohall, Hersh, Ildefonso, and Sammler.
BAPTIST HEALTH
The 2026 FIU baseball season is presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics
SOCIAL MEDIA
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