By Brett Shweky/Editor
Following their two-game road trip to Port Charlotte, Fla., the FIU Panthers are set to return to the FIU Baseball Stadium to host intercity rival Miami.
The contest marks the first of two games the teams will play against each other this season as the Hurricanes will host the Panthers on Wednesday, April 24 for the final outing of the series.
Right-hander Franco Aleman (0-0, 2.25 ERA) will make his second start of the season for FIU, while right-hander Slade Cecconi (1-0, 2.57 ERA) will take the mound for the Hurricanes.
FIU (3-3) is coming off a short road trip against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits where the teams split a two-game series in the Snowbird Baseball Classic.
Behind a strong performance from pitcher Logan Allen, FIU took the opening contest of the series 4-1 against South Dakota State but dropped the final game 4-3 after the Jackrabbits put together a solid outing.
Left fielder Lorenzo Hampton Jr. has paced the Panthers’ bats to start the 2019 campaign with the senior leading the team in batting average (.500), hits (11), doubles (5), slugging (.955) and runs scored.
Outfielder Adan Fernandez found success last weekend as well as he recorded two home runs and collected four runs.
For Miami (5-2), they are fresh off a weekend series against the No. 4 Florida Gators in Gainesville where they only were able to win one contest in the three-game series.
After earning the first victory 5-2, the Hurricanes failed to secure the series win by losing 9-3 in the second game and 4-1 in the final game.
Freshman first baseman Alex Toral has gotten off to a hot start this season by leading the team in home runs (5), runs (9) and slugging percentage (.920).
Catcher Adrian Del Castillo is also one of the cornerstones of the Hurricanes’ hitting as he leads the squad in hits (12) and RBI (10).
First Pitch is set for 7 p.m.
Once the Panthers finish their crosstown matchup, the team will hit the road once again as they travel to Jacksonville, Ala. to take on the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in a three-game series.
Friday’s game time is slated for 7 p.m., while the Saturday and Sunday open pitches will be at 2 p.m.
