FIU Baseball Sets Program Records in 30‑21 Victory Over New Mexico State
The Panthers closed out their regular season in dramatic fashion, posting a 30‑21 victory over New Mexico State that will be remembered for its fireworks and record‑breaking numbers. The win secured a final score of 30‑21 in Conference USA play and capped a season that saw the team surge with a historic offensive outburst.
A Comeback for the Ages
What began as a modest 3‑0 lead quickly turned into a roller‑coaster as the Aggies rallied to take an 11‑7 advantage, only to watch FIU unleash an 11‑run burst in the seventh that flipped the momentum and put the game out of reach. The seventh‑inning explosion featured 11 runs on multiple hits, turning a deficit into a commanding lead.
Breaking Records
The offensive onslaught set new benchmarks for the program, including the most runs scored in a single contest since March 23, 2002, and the highest RBI total in school history, surpassing a 46‑year‑old mark of 29 RBI. The 30 runs also marked the most scored by FIU in a game in over two decades.
Stars of the Offense
Multiple players etched their names into the record books, with Andrew Ildefonso and Aidan Cohall delivering five‑hit performances that featured two home runs apiece and a combined 14 RBI, while Cooper Rasmussen, Marc Hersh and Samuel Fischer added multi‑hit contributions. Their efforts helped push the team to 28 hits, the most since March 29, 2016.
Mound Performance
On the mound, Jordan Vargas made the start, allowing four earned runs over three innings, before a bullpen effort led by Cooper Foster secured the win. Relievers Tyrus Riley, Enrique Sierra, Matthew DelVecchio, Rene Lastres and Mason Koczwara combined to finish the game, preserving the lead after the late rally by New Mexico State.
The victory not only highlighted individual performances but also underscored the team’s depth and resilience, as eight different players recorded at least one hit and the offense produced a cascade of runs that left the Aggies scrambling in the final frames.