By Brett Shweky/Editor
As FIU continues their second-longest homestand of the season, the Panthers are set to host the Seton Hall Pirates for a three-game weekend series beginning on Friday at the FIU Baseball Stadium.
The series against the Pirates (1-6) will mark five consecutive home games for the Panthers (6-6) with the team also slated to play their final non-conference weekend series of the season.
First pitch for Friday’s game is set for 7 p.m., while Saturday will have a start time of 6 p.m. The closing contest of the series will be at Noon.
Series Pitchers
To start the series on Friday, left-hander Logan Allen (1-1, 2.25 ERA) will receive the start for FIU, while right-hander David Festa (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will receive the starting nod for Seton Hall.
Starting right-hander Nick MacDonald (0-1, 2.87 ERA) is set to hit the mound for the Panthers during the second game as he squares off against Seton Hall’s starting right-hander Noah Thompson (1-1, 3.94 ERA).
In the final contest, right-hander Christian Santana (1-1, 2.19 ERA) will close out the series for FIU while left-hander Tyler Burnham (0-1, 5.40 ERA) will do the same for Seton Hall.
Last time out for FIU
The Panthers opened their six-game homestand against the Florida A&M Rattlers in a midweek two-contest series on Tuesday and Wednesday.
FIU split the two-game set against Florida A&M after finishing the series on a high note in the closing matchup.
Following their 3-2 heartbreaking loss on Tuesday, the Panthers rebounded with an 8-6 victory on Wednesday to secure head coach Mervyl Melendez’s 600th career win.
Derek Cartaya, Allen
During the first game, the Rattlers orchestrated a two-run inning in the eighth to pull of the late-game comeback against the Panthers.
After holding a 2-1 advantage heading into the frame, the Panthers relinquished their lead to Florida A&M as they allowed two late scores on an RBI single and also an unearned run on an error.
Scouting report for Seton Hall
Seton Hall has struggled to begin 2019 with the Pirates still searching for their second victory of the season.
The Pirates last played on March 2 in a doubleheader against the Virginia Cavaliers as they split the back-to-backer to secure their first win of the year.
The closing game of the series was canceled due to rain for Seton Hall and Virginia, while the Pirates’ midweek game on Tuesday against NJIT was also not played because of the weather.
Catcher Jerry Huntzinger (.353 average) and infielder Alex Clyde (.350 average) have generated the most consistent offense for the Pirates so far this season with both players placing first and second in team batting average.
Clyde also leads Seton Hall in hits (7) and RBIs (4).
Next on the schedule for FIU
Following the three-game series against Seton Hall, the Panthers will close out their six-game home stretch on Tuesday, March 12 against the Stetson Hatters in a one-game midweek showdown.
First pitch from the FIU Baseball Stadium is set for 7 p.m.
