The FIU Panthers are coming off a 19-31 season in 2022. Head coach Mike Larabee has added 11 new faces, eight freshmen, and three transfers to turn things around in 2023. In his second season at FIU, Coach Larabee will add those players to the 12 returning from 2022. It will be interesting to see how many of the newcomers crack the line-up in year one.
We expect to see a revamped line-up in 2023. They only had two players hit over .250 last season, with one being senior Madison Lewis (.273), who else led the team in RBI with 20. Two transfers that could immediately impact the offense are sophomore Ashton Lansdell (Georgia Highlands) and Frankie Izard (Louisiana). Lansdell has been playing baseball and was a member of the gold-medal winning (Pan American Games) 2019 USA Women’s National Baseball Team. Izard has found success at both the JUCO and DI levels.
The Panthers are reloading in the circle for the 2023 season. Not one pitcher from the 2022 roster returns. They added three freshmen, Brooke McNichols, Ella Whitney, and Megan Kruger. They also add one transfer Sydney Birling (Bryant & Stratton). Birling was the 2021 NJCAA National Player of the Year. Over two seasons, she posted a 46-10 record with a 1.33 ERA and 525 strikeouts. All three first-year hurlers come in with a lot of success at the high school and travel ball levels. How fast they can translate that to the college game will determine how fast the Panthers can improve.
The Panthers are rebuilding, and how fast they can gel and come together will play a big role in how this season plays out. They will be tested right out of the gate at home as they face No. 10 Clemson Thursday, February 9, 2023.
