FIU softball star said she’s thinking about playing for Panthers baseball team

Olivia Pichardo made college baseball history for Brown University this weekend, and her pinch-hitting performance resonated emphatically with FIU softball star Ashton Lansdell.

Pichardo on Friday night became the first female in history to appear in an NCAA Division I baseball game. She made solid contact on a first-pitch fastball, grounding out to first base in the ninth inning.

Lansdell, who only made the switch to softball this year, has played with Pichardo on USA women’s baseball teams.

“It’s amazing to see a female playing college baseball at the Division I level and able to put the bat on the ball,” Lansdell said. “It shows that females have the capabilities to play baseball.

“I’m ecstatic for her. She went out there like she owned the spot. She did a great job, getting a good piece of the ball. I’m very proud of her.”

Lansdell, 22, said she may at some point ask FIU baseball coach Rich Witten for a tryout.

“That thought has crossed my mind quite a few times,” Lansdell said. “Softball is fun. I love all my teammates and coaches, but I still think about baseball.”

In 30 games this softball season, Lansdell has shown immense talent, leading FIU in runs (26), steals (21-for-22) and homers (five).

Witten, reached by phone on Sunday night, said: “I’m open to anybody who makes us better.”

SPRING FOOTBALL IS HERE

FIU, which will start spring football practices on Tuesday, has increased its scholarship numbers from 60 at this point last year to 75.

Coach Mike MacIntyre, set to start his second year with FIU, said his team’s depth is much better on the offensive line. He has 16 scholarship blockers now — 10 more than last year.

FIU has also made some adjustments on its coaching staff after Greg Austin bolted for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars as an assistant offensive line coach and Ricky Brumfield is gone to Georgia Tech as special teams coordinator.

MacIntyre has moved Joshua Eargle from tight ends coach to the offensive line, replacing Austin.

Zac Roper, who spent 14 years at Duke before moving to North Carolina State, is FIU’s new special-teams coordinator and tight ends coach. He filled numerous roles at Duke, including offensive coordinator. He also coached quarterbacks, tight ends and running backs and was a coordinator for special teams and recruiting.

In addition, Anthony Gaiter, who was an FIU quality-control coach last year, has been promoted. He will now coach FIU’s outside linebackers.

NSU IN ELITE EIGHT

The Nova Southeastern University men’s basketball team (33-0) is resuming its quest to win the program’s first national title.

NSU, ranked No. 1 in the nation in NCAA Division II and coached by Jim Crutchfield, will play unranked Missouri-St. Louis (24-10) on Tuesday night in the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight in Evansville, Indiana.

If NSU reaches the NCAA championship game on Saturday afternoon, it could play West Liberty, Crutchfield’s former team. West Liberty (31-3) is ranked fifth in the nation and is on the other side of the bracket in Evansville. West Liberty is on a 16-game win streak.

THIS AND THAT

▪ With the FIU baseball team on the road playing Dallas Baptist this weekend, Japan’s World Baseball Classic team — featuring superstar Shohei Ohtani — worked out on the Panthers’ field.

▪ Barry University’s women’s tennis team is ranked No. 1 in the nation in NCAA Division II. The Bucs, who have won five straight national titles, have prevailed in 75 consecutive matches, a program record. The old record was 70.

▪ Miami Dade College’s men’s basketball team made significant strides in its second season under coach Jorge Fernandez, improving from 10-17 to 17-14. MDC lost in the first round of the state playoffs, 62-60, to Chipola, the nation’s sixth-ranked junior-college squad. At one point this season, MDC won nine straight games, its longest streak in 15 years. MDC also qualified for state for the first time in eight years.

▪ St. Thomas University’s women’s tennis team is ranked 11th in the nation (NAIA) with a 12-1 record. STU’s softball team (19-6) is off to its best start in program history.