Rich Witten and the FIU Panthers are on the road to the 2025 CUSA Tournament. They will begin on Wednesday, May 21st, at 9am against the Kennesaw State Owls.
Last Time Wasn’t A Great Time
FIU was swept three times on the road this season during conference games, one of those three games coming against the Kennesaw State Owls. FIU surrendered 26 runs between the three games, while FIU put up seven runs. The Panthers were run-ruled in the middle game.
The Panthers bounced back the following weekend, sweeping the ranked Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, making up for what had been a tough weekend in Georgia.
Easton Marks. Nothing Else To Say
The hype surrounding Nevada transfer Easton Marks was there. Throughout fall and early spring camp, he was the one pitcher that everyone talked about and said that would break out for this FIU squad.
It’s safe to say that he did live up to the hype. In 14 starts, he’s posted a 3.49 ERA, 9.7 K/9, and 4.7 BB/9 through 67.0 innings pitched.
If there has been one downside to Mark’s season, it’s been the walks. In his one inning of work against the Sam Houston State Bearkats, he walked one, and in seven innings, he also walked one against the Liberty Flames. On the season, he’s walked 35 hitters, which is the most of the team.
Pitching Wins Championships
It’s as simple as what the header says. If you have enough quality pitching, you can go all the way in this tournament. Marks will be crucial to that in game one, depending on how long he goes, but it’s what comes after him that will begin to bring up questions.
Senior lefty Jaydon Bishop has been awesome for FIU this season. He’s come into games serving a myriad of roles. In his most recent outing, he went 4 ⅓ innings, allowing two runs on two hits. He’s also entered into some more high-leverage situations, which is why he ended the regular season with a 4.15 ERA through 39.0 innings pitched, the most for any reliever this season. Bishop will start for FIU on Wednesday. It will mark his third start of the season.
make that a career-high of four scoreless frames for Jaydon! pic.twitter.com/ESkdYKrcw2
— FIU Baseball (@FIUBaseball) April 3, 2025
Juan Villarreal is coming into this game having allowed two runs or more in his last four outings. Aside from this rough stretch, he’s been one of the Panthers’ most reliable arms, having been used in more of a swingman role. Through 47.2 innings pitched, he’s posted a 4.72 ERA, 11.3 K/9, and 5.7 BB/9.
Uncertainty For Puk
The status of Owen Puk seems to be up in the air after not appearing in FIU’s final two conference series of the season. There could be a chance that this was just to keep him healthy for the tournament. Assuming he is healthy, Puk could go in that second game, win or lose.
This season, he posted a 4.84 ERA, 11.4 K/9, and 5.1 BB/9 through 40 ⅓ innings pitched. He made 12 starts, but appeared in 13 games. Walks continue to be an issue for Puk, but compared to last season, he allows about two walks per game. In his last outing against Dallas Baptist, he walked four, the most in any game this season.
Another option to start for FIU is Seattle transfer Jarek Woodward. Similar to Villarreal, he’s been used as a swingman this season.
All-Conference Cats
For a second straight year, Brylan West has made an all-conference team, this time getting on the first team. Going into the conference tournament, West is slashing .340/.439/.542/.981 with 11 home runs (career-high) and 27 RBI. West has primarily led off this season. Expect him to be in that lead-off spot on Wednesday morning.
Kishon Frett, the Panthers’ slugger, made it onto the all-conference second-team after slashing .291/.426/.650/.1.076 with 20 home runs and 44 RBI. His 20 home runs mark the most in a single season since 2009.
The WALKOFF bomb from @kishfrett in extras to sweep No. 17 WKU 💣 @WilliamsonAuto pic.twitter.com/hgmxIqc9XA
— FIU Baseball (@FIUBaseball) April 27, 2025
Designated hitter Andrew Ildefonso and outfielder Cole Cleveland both made it onto the all-freshman team. Ildefonso, a redshirt freshman, slashed .315/.408/.517/.925 with six home runs and 37 RBI. Cleveland slashed .285/.397/.477/.874 with four home runs, 30 RBI, and 13 stolen bases. Cleveland is the Panthers center fielder.
Another name who has quietly had a great season is third baseman Javier Crespo. After starting the season injured, he got back into game action and finished the regular season slashing .343/.456/.474/.931 with four home runs and 33 RBI.
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