Panthers Lose Rubber Match Game to Louisiana Tech

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MIAMI, FL – Both FIU and LA Tech were tied 3-3 going into the final inning of a game where the bullpen did a bulk of the pitching. Ultimately, the Panthers went on to lose the rubber match game 4-3 to the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.

Standings-wise, FIU is in 11th place, behind just Delaware in Conference USA. They are 10-22 with a 2-10 conference record. If the Panthers want any shot of making it far in the CUSA Championship, they will need to improve their record against conference opponents in a hurry.

Both Starters Get Pulled Early

FIU scored the first two runs in this game. Cole Cleveland drove in Samuel Fischer in the first, and Luca Reyes hit a groundout RBI, scoring Caden Sammler in the second.

Bot 1st
Louisiana Tech 0 | FIU 1

Cole Cleveland drives in Samuel Fischer with an RBI hit#FIU #Panthers #PawsUp https://t.co/ESOjcuDNui

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) April 4, 2026

Julian Mlodzinski had to throw a bunch of pitches in his outing. He allowed two runs in the third before getting pulled. The Bulldog’s Colton Coates reached first on a fielder’s choice, scoring one, and then Eli Berch doubled to the game at two apiece.

Mlodzinski lasted just 2.2 innings on 66 pitches, allowing five hits, two earned runs, and three walks. As little as he pitched, he outlasted LA Tech’s Landon Fontenot, who tossed 1.2 innings.

Cooper Foster records 5 Ks

Cooper Foster took control of the mound once he took over with two outs in the third. He tossed four innings, surrendering two hits, and an earned run on five punchouts. The biggest threat he faced was having a runner on third, which led to his removal in the seventh with two outs. Louisiana Tech eventually scored a go-ahead run after Berch singles, going up 3-2.

Cooper Foster had an excellent outing out of the bullpen. He got removed here in the 7th after a runner made it to third base.

Foster lasted four innings, allowing two hits, and an earned run on five punchouts.#FIU #Panthers #PawsUp https://t.co/PHhjknN69V

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) April 4, 2026

Bulldogs Pull Away in Extras

Bryce Turner made an appearance and struggled with his command, issuing three walks against the eight hitters he faced. However, he allowed just one hit and no runs in his 1.1 innings of work.

In the eighth, Andrew Ildefonso, Cleveland, and Tracen Cameron each hit consecutive singles to load the bases with no outs. Aidan Cohall walked to tie the game at three. Afterwards, the next three hitters got retired, preventing them from doing any real damage.

Bot 8th
Louisiana Tech 3 | FIU 3

Aidan Cohall walks#FIU #Panthers #PawsUp pic.twitter.com/k3MXG1GcxZ

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) April 4, 2026

The game went into the 10th, where the Bulldogs scored a run on a wild pitch from Mason Koczwara. Despite the four strikeouts, he took the loss due to his struggles with finding the strike zone. Koczwara gave up two walks and threw a pair of wild pitches as well.

FIU had nine hits today. Sammler and Cleveland each had multi-hit games. Cooper Rasmussen extended his on-base streak to 17 games.

Up Next

FIU will face its crosstown rivals in Coral Gables. This Tuesday, they will play the Miami Hurricanes at Mark Light Field with the first pitch scheduled for 6:00 pm.

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