Marshall University Athletics
Herd Ready to Clip Owls This Weekend
4/3/2014 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 3, 2014
HUNTINGTON, W.Va.-Marshall baseball will head to Epling Stadium in Beckley for a Conference USA series against new member Florida Atlantic. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a noon start on Sunday.
The Herd faces FAU for the first time this weekend.
Marshall (9-17, 5-6) has played part of its schedule at Epling Stadium for the past five seasons. The last time the Herd played in Beckley was a comeback 6-5 victory over West Virginia in May 2013.
Fans can follow GameTracker for live stats, and the @HerdBaseball Twitter account for updates in-game.
HAVE YOU HERD?
Marshall is coming off its second conference series win of the season, as the Herd swept two games from Tulane (third game canceled) at Appalachian Power Park in Charleston.
The Herd then split its midweek games, defeating Akron 5-2 but falling to Eastern Kentucky 4-1.
Designated hitter Chase Vogelbach (Fort Myers, Fla.) is batting .385 (15-for-39) in C-USA play, which ranks fifth in the league.
Junior shortstop Sergio Leon (Miami) turned in back-to-back multi-hit games, going 3-for-4 with a run and RBI on Tuesday and 2-for-3 with a run Wednesday at Eastern Kentucky.
SCOUTING THE OWLS
Florida Atlantic enters the weekend 16-12 (4-8 C-USA). The Owls went 42-22 last season, losing a trip to the NCAA Super Regionals in a 13-inning, 12-11 decision at North Carolina in the Chapel Hill Regional final.
The Owls' bats are powered by freshman Stephen Kerr (.327). Following closely behind is sophomore Brendon Sanger (.321, two triples).
Senior Tyler Rocklein leads FAU in RBI with 18, and junior Ricky Santiago and freshman CJ Chatham lead the Owls with three home runs apiece.
The Owls have a team ERA of 2.86.
Pitching probables
Game 1
LHP Austin Gomber vs. RHP Michael Taylor (St. Albans, W.Va.)
2-4, 3.52 ERA, 45 K 1-5, 3.00 ERA, 19 K
Game 2
RHP Jeremy Strawn vs. RHP Matt Margaritonda (Freehold, N.J.)
2-4, 3.55 ERA, 19 K 2-3, 3.55 ERA, 40 K
Game 3
RHP Drew Jackson vs. RHP Josh King (Troup, Ga.)
3-0, 2.25 ERA, 37 K 2-2, 2.60 ERA, 28 K
