FIU moved two steps closer to securing a berth in the Conference USA tournament late Thursday night.
The Panthers pounded out a season-high 18 hits en route to a 23-6 win over Western Kentucky in the opener of a three-game series at the FIU ballpark.
Before Thursday, FIU's magic number to clinch a spot in the conference tournament was three. Any combination of FIU wins and Marshall losses totaling three this weekend would send the Panthers to Biloxi, Mississippi -- site of the tournament.
The Thundering Herd (25-27, 12-16 Conference USA) lost to Charlotte, 5-3, Thursday afternoon and with FIU (29-25, 13-15 C-USA) winning Thursday night the magic number has been reduced to one.