DBU (23-18, 12-6 CUSA) vs. FIU (13-27, 5-13 CUSA)
April 24-26 | Miami, FL | FIU Baseball Stadium

GAME NOTES
 
MULTIMEDIA COVERAGE
Live Video: ESPN+
Live Audio: Patriot Broadcasting Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Instagram: @dbu_baseball
Twitter/X: @DBU_Baseball
Facebook: DBU Baseball
 
DBU BASEBALL ON THE AIR
In his 15th season on the air, Reagan Ratcliff delivers all the action alongside Ryan Wilson from FIU Baseball Stadium with an audio broadcast on the Patriot Broadcasting Network.
 
PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday
DBU: LHP Liam Watt (5-2 W-L, 4.41 ERA, 51.0 IP, 36 SO, 11 BB)
vs.
FIU: LHP Preston Prince (0-3 W-L, 4.31 ERA, 31.1 IP, 33 SO, 26 BB)
 
Saturday
DBU: RHP Ryan Borberg (0-1 W-L, 5.35 ERA, 37.0 IP, 28 SO, 18 BB)
vs.
FIU: RHP Julian Mlodzinski (3-6 W-L, 5.24 ERA, 44.2 IP, 25 SO, 21 BB)
 
Sunday
DBU: RHP Jared Schaeffer (4-0 W-L, 6.11 ERA, 45.2 IP, 36 SO, 16 BB)
vs.
FIU: TBA
 
LEADING OFF
EXTRA-INNINGS LOSS: In its game on Tuesday, DBU fell to TCU in a 6-5 extra-innings affair. It was the Patriots' second loss to the Horned Frogs this season.
SARTAIN SHINES: Brooks Sartain had a breakout performance on Tuesday, registering three hits, including his first career home run, a go-ahead shot to right field in the eighth inning.
POSTSEASON POSITIONING: Four games back in the Conference USA standings, DBU travels to Miami for a CUSA series against FIU, which sits two games out of ninth place, the final spot in the Conference USA Tournament.
 
TOP STORYLINES
FIVE-GAME ROAD TRIP: DBU continues a five-game road stretch with a Conference USA series against FIU in Miami, Florida.
SLUGGING OFFENSE: Averaging 8.1 runs per game, the Patriots boast one of the most powerful offenses in the country, belting 78 home runs (9th in the nation) and slugging .520 (20th).
RECORD-PACE HOME RUN RATE: DBU's average of 1.90 home runs per game currently ranks as the 2nd-best pace in program history. The program record of 1.92 home runs per contest was set in 2024.
HOME RUN THREATS: Chayton Krauss and Ryan Martin are tied for 2nd in CUSA with 12 home runs. Jake Bennett is tied for 4th in the league with 11 on the year.
EXTRA-BASE MACHINES: Three Patriots are currently among the top 20 in CUSA in slugging percentage: Dylan Schlaegel (.580, 11th), Ryan Martin (.562, 11th), and Chayton Krauss (.550, 20th).
POWER FROM PETTITTE: Luke Pettitte has been a sparkplug for the Patriots since settling in as the everyday designated hitter. Since his first start at DH on March 14, he tops DBU in home runs (9), RBI (29), total bases (66), slugging percentage (.717), and OPS (1.130). The junior also leads CUSA in conference games in home runs (8), total bases (54), and slugging percentage (.818), and OPS (1.265).
CHAYTON CHASING HISTORY: Already just the 4th Patriot ever with 200 career hits and 40 home runs, Chayton Krauss continues to climb the charts in DBU's record book. His 43 home runs are 5th all-time, and his 181 RBI are 4th. He needs 10 more homers to move into a share of 2nd place behind Grant Jay (61) and 9 RBI for sole possession of 2nd place behind Jason Krizan (231).
KROLL CLOSES THE DOOR: Athan Kroll has emerged as the closer for the Patriots with 8 saves, the 14th-most in the country. He was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List on Wednesday, posting a 0.71 ERA in his last 9 appearances.
RELIEF FROM THE BULLPEN: Michael Benzor and Max Luzarraga have developed into two of the most reliable arms out of the DBU bullpen. Benzor leads the relievers with a 3.29 ERA. Luzarraga is 2nd in the group with a 3.46 ERA and has not allowed an earned run in his last 6 appearances.
PHENOMENAL FIELDING: The Patriots' defense is 22nd in the nation in fielding percentage with a .980 clip. At its current rate, DBU has the 2nd-best fielding percentage in school history behind the record of .982 set in 2024.
CONSISTENT KRAUSS: Everyday infielder Chayton Krauss' streak of 235 consecutive chances without an error ended in the top of the ninth on Sunday against Liberty. It was his first error of the season and his first miscue since March 14, 2025. He owns a .996 fielding percentage for both the season and his career.
 
SCOUTING FIU
FOUR-GAME SKID: FIU enters the weekend on a four-game losing streak, losing a road midweek contest to Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday, 10-9, in 12 innings.
IN THE HUNT: The Panthers are fighting to stay in the hunt for one of the nine spots in the Conference USA Tournament. With a 5-13 league record, FIU is currently 11th in the standings.
WEARING IT: The Panthers have a propensity for getting plunked at the plate. FIU hitters have been hit by a pitch 78 times this season, the most of any team in CUSA. Samuel Fischer has been hit by a pitch 14 times, 3rd in CUSA.
RAKING RASMUSSEN: Hitting .231 as a squad, Cooper Rasmussen is the primary offensive weapon for the Panthers, topping the team in batting average (.291), slugging percentage (.528), OPS (.917), and home runs (9).
PRINCE ON FRIDAY: Friday starter Preston Prince has progressively stretched his outings as the season has aged. Going 2.0 innings in both of his first 2 starts, he has thrown at least 5.0 in each of his last 4 outings. He owns a 0-3 record, a 4.31 ERA, and a 1.63 WHIP.
 
SERIES HISTORY
DBU is 12-1 all-time versus FIU in a series that dates back to 2004. The Patriots have won seven straight against the Panthers. DBU's lone loss to FIU was the series finale of their CUSA series on March 19, 2023.
 
ON DECK
The Patriots wrap up their five-game road stretch with a trip to Abilene, Texas, to face Abilene Christian. First pitch is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:05 p.m.