Marshall University Athletics
@HerdBaseball Hosts Louisiana Tech in Key C-USA Series
3/31/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Game Notes
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall baseball (13-10, 3-3) returns to Appalachian Power Park for a pivotal Conference USA three-game series against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (14-7, 3-3), beginning on Friday at 6 p.m. The series continues Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
ON THE MOUND
Friday: RHP Chase Boster (1-2, 6.15 ERA) vs. LHP Phillip Diehl (2-1, 3.38 ERA)
Saturday: LHP Parker Danciu (2-1, 6.10 ERA) vs. TBA
Sunday: RHP JD Hammer (2-2, 5.71 ERA) vs. TBA
HAVE YOU HERD?
The Thundering Herd has won 12 of 17 games in March to propel itself to its best start since the 2007 season, which started 14-9 through 23 games. Marshall began the month with a three-game sweep over Lehigh, which was then followed up by a four-game sweep of Brown. The Herd clinched its third series with two wins in Miami over FIU this last week. The Herd also had midweek wins over Morehead State and Eastern Kentucky.
Marshall is tied for fourth place through two weeks of Conference USA action. The Herd is tied with Old Dominion, Louisiana Tech, WKU and Charlotte at 3-3. Florida Atlantic, Southern Miss and Rice are tied for first with a 5-1 record.
Conference USA is ranked No. 4 in the RPI according to WarrenNolan.com, trailing only the ACC, SEC and Pac 12. C-USA features eight teams with an RPI over 100: Rice (15), Southern Miss (16), Old Dominion (25), Florida Atlantic (55), WKU (62), Marshall (90), UTSA (92) and Middle Tennessee (99).
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Louisiana Tech has won five of its last six games, including a series win over Conference USA foe Charlotte this past weekend. The Bulldogs defeated Grambling State for the 23rd straight time on Tuesday. Tech is off to the program's best start since the 1989 season.
Junior infielder Raphael Gladu leads the 'Dogs at the plate with a .358 batting average. Gladu is second on the team in hits with 24 hits, but is tied for first in doubles with seven. Cody Daigle paces LA Tech with 18 RBIs.
ON THE CALL
Friday and Saturday's games against the Bulldogs can be heard on the Thundering Herd IMG Sports Network with Steve Cotton and Woody Woodrum on ESPN Radio FMs 93.3 and 94.1, and also on AMs 930 and 1340. The broadcast can be streamed live through the internet on www.wrvc.com.
PROMOTIONS
Marshall baseball is hosting a military appreciation weekend as anyone with a Military ID will get free admission. The Herd also is offering a 4-for-$44 deal, where you can get four tickets, four hot dogs, four popcorns and four drinks for $44. On Friday and Saturday it is Herd Happy Hour with $1 beers offered 1.5 hours prior to first pitch.
UP NEXT
After the weekend series, Marshall welcomes in-state rival West Virginia to Power Park on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The Thundering Herd and Mountaineers split the season series last year, with both teams winning at home.
