EVANSVILLE – Looking to capitalize on the momentum gained a week ago, the University of Evansville baseball team will continue its current six-game non-conference swing with a three-game set against Northern Illinois this weekend at Charles H. Braun Stadium.
Evansville vs. Northern Illinois |
NIU Website |
Series Notes
Friday, 4:30 p.m.: Live Stats |
91.5 WUEV
Saturday, 2 p.m.: Live Stats |
91.5 WUEV
Sunday, 1 p.m.: Live Stats
Last week, the Aces (13-23) rode strong starting pitching and some clutch hitting to their first road sweep in Missouri Valley Conference play in over a decade as they picked up three victories over Illinois State in Normal. That run of success, however, hit a rough patch earlier this week as the Aces fell 9-8 in a walk-off loss at UT Martin Tuesday.
With the weekend rotation set to feature once again, the Aces will look to the mound to carry on the momentum, beginning with Patrick Schnieders on Friday night. The senior right-hander, who leads the team in strikeouts, is coming off a gutsy five innings a week ago. After surrendering a season-high five runs in the first inning, he managed to hold the Redbirds at bay long enough to hand it over to the bullpen. The Westphalia, Mo., native is 2-4 on the year with a 4.24 earned run average.
On Saturday, the Aces will hand the ball to another senior righty in Connor Strain, who is currently riding a 14-inning scoreless streak. A native of Shelburn, Ind., Strain enjoyed a 23-inning streak last season, and he's put up back-to-back outings of seven scoreless frames. He is 2-2 with a 2.95 ERA.
Justin Hayden also tossed seven scoreless last Sunday, and he is now 3-5 on the year with a 6.20 ERA.
As they were a year ago, the Aces are once again led offensively by the bat of Trey Hair. The senior second baseman and preseason All-American has largely lived up to his billing in recent weeks as his 14-game hitting streak has seen his average climb back up to .303. He also leads the team in runs (26), RBI (27) doubles (15) and home runs (6).
In all, there are three batters boasting of an average better than .300. Craig Shepherd owns a .318 mark and Andrew Tanous, who enjoyed an 18-game on-base streak earlier this season, is hitting a .308 clip.
Travis Tokarek and his .283 average and five home runs has turned into an important bat in the middle of the line-up while Brendan Krob will enter Friday with home runs in back-to-back games. The freshman has three on the year.
Meanwhile, NIU (10-26) has lost nine of its last 11 games and will be looking for its first series victory since sweeping past Toledo late last month. Earlier this week, the Huskies dropped a 17-8 decision against Indiana State as Sycamore first baseman Dane Tofteland left the park three times in five at-bats to finish with 11 RBI.
First pitch on Friday is set for 4:30 p.m.
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