Marshall University Athletics
Baseball Opens Conference Play Friday
3/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Game Notes Game 1:Game Video | Game 2: Game Video |
Game 3: Game Video |
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall baseball will open Conference USA play this weekend, hosting UTSA (9-7) in a three-game series in Beckley, W.Va., at Epling Stadium beginning Friday, March 13.
The revised schedule will give the Herd (6-8) an early start, with Friday's game scheduled for 9 a.m. (ET). Saturday and Sunday's contests are still tentatively slated for 1 p.m., but could change due to impending weather.
Fans with an All-Access pass can view the game via live streaming links provided, and anyone can follow live stats via GameTracker and in-game updates via the @HerdBaseball Twitter account.
HAVE YOU HERD?
Marshall leads the league with 11 home runs, after seniors TJ Diffenderfer (Mount Juliet, Tenn.) and Josh King (Troup, Ga.) blasted their third and second, respectively, of the season last weekend against George Mason. Freshman Tyler Ratliff also hit the first of his college career. The 11 surpass the team totals from 2014 (7) and 2013 (10).
Senior Sergio Leon (Miami) remains second in C-USA in batting average (.404) and stolen bases (6). The senior is third in the league with a .472 on-base percentage.
Marshall won its first extra-inning game of the season, defeating George Mason 5-4 in 13 innings. The Herd bullpen combined for seven scoreless innings, led by freshman Fernando Guerrero (Elizabeth, N.J.) who fanned six in three innings. The Herd took the series 2-1.
THE MOUND MAKEUP
G1: JD Hammer, RHP vs. Cody Brannon, LHP
MU: (3.15 ERA, 4 APP, 2 GS, 20 IP, 18 H, 7 R, 18 K, 10 BB, 1 SV) vs. UTSA: (4.43 ERA, 1-1, 7 APP, 4 GS, 20.1 IP, 20 H, 10 R, 15 K, 6 BB, 1 SV)
G2: Michael Taylor, RHP vs. Nolan Trabanino, LHP
MU: (2.25 ERA, 1-0, 6 APP, 1 GS, 8 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 11 K, 8 BB) vs. UTSA: 7.63 ERA, 0-3, 4 GS, 15.1 IP, 25 H, 15 R, 11 K, 3 BB)
G3: TBD vs. TBD
SCOUTING THE ROADRUNNERS
UTSA is coming off a 3-0 shutout against Houston Baptist on Tuesday. The Roadrunners own a league-high 43 doubles and rank second nationally behind Wake Forest (50). Junior Kevin Markham leads the offense, with a .385 batting average and two home runs.
UP NEXT
Marshall will begin midweek play, traveling to Richmond, Ky., to face Eastern Kentucky on Tuesday and face Morehead State on Wednesday in its home opener at The YMCA Kennedy Center Field in Huntington. Both games are scheduled for 3 p.m. starts.
