Golden Panthers, Owls Set for Pivotal Friday Night Clash

BOCA RATON, Fla. (Interstat) — In-state rivals Florida International and Florida Atlantic, sporting identical .500 records, open a three-game series Friday afternoon at FAU Baseball Stadium.

The Golden Panthers (7-7) and Owls (6-6) will meet under partly cloudy skies with first-pitch temperatures near 80 degrees.

Both teams are looking to build momentum in nonconference play. FIU arrives after a 9-4 midweek loss to Boston College, though reliever Cooper Foster provided a bright spot with 2 2/3 scoreless innings and three strikeouts. Foster, a key arm for the Golden Panthers, has been inconsistent, allowing five earned runs against Florida on Feb. 24 but bouncing back with a strong outing Wednesday.

FAU was shut out 4-0 at Florida on Tuesday but received stellar relief work from Zach Kilby, who fired two perfect innings with three strikeouts. Kilby has been dominant lately, not allowing a hit over his last four innings of work across two appearances, striking out seven.

The Golden Panthers’ offense will aim to rebound after being held to four total runs in their last two games. FAU’s pitching staff, outside of its trip to Gainesville, has been solid at home, allowing just 11 total runs in a three-game sweep of Villanova last weekend.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a narrow 6-5 victory for the visiting Golden Panthers.

The series continues in Boca Raton on Saturday before shifting to FIU for the finale on Sunday.