FIU’s softball team is set to begin its Conference USA schedule with a three-game series against Delaware in Newark, Delaware, from March 6-8. This marks the first time FIU will play at Delaware and the first-ever conference meeting between the two programs.
The Panthers have started their season with an 18-3 record, which is the best opening in program history through 21 games. They are currently ranked in every national mid-major poll, including sixth place in both D1Softball and the 6-4-3 chart’s top 25.
FIU has recorded four wins against Atlantic Coast Conference teams this season by sweeping both Georgia Tech and Louisville. Louisville recently defeated No. 13 Stanford in a series and is receiving votes for the national top-25 rankings. Georgia Tech also swept Notre Dame in its ACC opener.
Delaware, now competing in CUSA after winning last year’s Colonial Athletic Association regular-season title with 38 victories, holds a 9-11 record so far this season. The Blue Hens’ .271 batting average ranks eighth among CUSA teams, while their total of 74 walks is second-best in the league. Sydney Shaffer leads Delaware with six home runs and 18 RBI; Katie Scheivert has posted a .373 batting average over all 20 games played.
On offense, FIU is led by Kally Meredith, who tops CUSA and ranks ninth nationally with 35 hits. Senior Kennedy Byrd leads her team with 17 RBI and has contributed 11 extra-base hits. Leah Clark has added offensive depth as well as speed—she has matched Byrd’s RBI total (17) and stolen a team-high 16 bases.
In pitching, J’dah Girigorie and Brooke McNichols rank among the nation’s top ten for WHIP (0.57 for Girigorie; 0.65 for McNichols). Byrd has six wins on the mound—third most in CUSA—and Girigorie leads CUSA with three saves while maintaining one of the country’s best strikeout-to-walk ratios (12.33).
Delaware’s pitching staff features Josie Crossman (eight starts), Claire Woods, and Karlie Challburg—the latter was recently named Conference USA Freshman of the Week following strong outings against Bryant and Le Moyne. The Blue Hens’ team ERA stands at 4.50, ranking eighth in CUSA.
Historically, FIU trails Delaware two games to one; their last meeting was on February 27, 2016, when Delaware won by a score of seven to one.
All three games will be broadcast on ESPN+. More information about live stats or streaming can be found at fiusports.com/SBStats or fiusports.com/WatchSB.
The upcoming conference series comes ahead of May’s Conference USA Championships—also hosted by Delaware—from May 6-9.
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