MIAMI, FL – The first midweek game of the season wasn’t supposed to be at home. FIU was set to head up I-95 to Daytona to face the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, but after inclement weather was reported, the Wildcats came down to Miami and FIU took advantage, winning by a score of 10-0 and forcing another run-rule.
It was the Panthers offense that stole the show, scoring more than ten runs for a third straight game. Leading the way for FIU was catcher Rene Lastres whose lone hit of the night was a grand slam. Brylan West and Austin Dearing also hit their home runs for the Panthers.
FIU head coach Rich Witten sent starter Logan Runde on Wednesday night. After blanking out Stonehill in his first start of the season, he went only two innings but still shut down the Wildcats offense. Witten went on to use five more pitchers after that.
Sophomore Tristan Dietrich set a career-high with three strikeouts. It came in the third inning where he struck out the side. Redshirt freshman Andrew Ildefonso made his FIU debut, going one inning and striking out one.
With the win, the Panthers move to 5-0, continuing the best start in the Rich Witten era. FIU will welcome future Conference USA opponent Delaware for a three-game set which will begin on Friday at 6:30 pm.
More Stories
Canes Blown Out, Lose 82-42 to the Fighting Irish
Canes Succumb to FSU in 83-82 Loss
FIU Baseball Dominates, Sweeps Stonehill To Begin 2025