The FIU Panthers open their 2019 schedule with a weekend home series against Stony Brook starting Friday at 7 p.m.
The Panthers, who were 26-28 and 15-13 in Conference USA last season, are hopeful that this year will mark their first trip back to an NCAA regional since 2015.
They are led by third-year coach Mervyl Melendez, third baseman Austin Shenton (9 HRs, 29 RBI and .344 last season) and pitchers Nick MacDonald (3-4, 4.26 ERA last season) and Christian Santana (2-4, 5.79 ERA last season).
Stony Brook is led by junior shortstop Nick Grande, who batted .