Marshall University Athletics
@HerdBaseball Readies for WKU in Weekend Series
5/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Game Notes
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall baseball (27-17, 16-8 Conference USA) takes its six-game win streak in Conference USA action to WKU (24-24, 10-14 C-USA) for a three-game series, beginning on Friday at 7 p.m. (ET). Saturday and Sunday's games are scheduled for 2 p.m. (ET).
Due to graduation ceremonies at WKU, the video stream will only be available for Sunday's contest. Fans are encouraged to follow the action on the field via GameTracker.
ON THE MOUND
Friday: RHP Chase Boster (5-2, 3.89 ERA) vs. LHP Ryan Thurston (3-4, 4.00 ERA)
Saturday: LHP Parker Danciu (3-3, 5.99 ERA) vs. LHP Austin King (3-4, 4.90 ERA)
Sunday: RHP JD Hammer (3-2, 4.88 ERA) vs. RHP Josh Bartley (4-4, 5.03 ERA)
Boster, Danciu and Hammer had strong outings last weekend for the Thundering Herd against the UAB Blazers. Boster tossed his first collegiate complete game and earned his third straight C-USA win. Danciu pitched seven innings with three strikeouts and two earned runs. Hammer, who has been working his way back from injury, went four innings with four strikeouts.
CLINCHED
Marshall baseball has clinched its first Conference USA tournament berth since the 2010 season. The Thundering Herd earned its way into the tournament with a win last Sunday over UAB. The Herd's 16 C-USA wins are the most it has had since entering the league 11 seasons ago.
OFFENSIVE POWERHOUSE
The Thundering Herd has become an offensive powerhouse in conference play this season as it's in the top 5 of 11 batting categories. Marshall is the top 3 of batting average (2nd, .304), slugging percentage (2nd, .469), on base percentage (3rd, .390), runs scored (3rd, 161), hits (3rd, 254), RBIs (3rd, 152), doubles (T-1st, 51), home runs (2nd, 25) and total bases (2nd, 392). The Herd ranks fourth in triples with six, while they are fifth in walks with 95.
SCOUTING THE 'TOPS
WKU is coming off a tough weekend as it dropped three games at No. 14 Southern Miss. The Hilltoppers were led by freshman shortstop Steven DiPuglia, with five hits.
Senior Dann Hudzina saw his 50-game on-base streak come to an end over the weekend. It had been the longest active streak in the country. During the streak, Hudzina batted .427, with a .617 slugging percentage and a .479 on-base percentage. Hudzina leads the 'Tops with a .408 average and 80 hits on the season.
UP NEXT
After the weekend series, Marshall travels to Beckley, W.Va., to face the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Tuesday at 6 p.m. After the meeting with Wake Forest, the Herd will host Old Dominion in the final series of the regular season, beginning on Thursday at 2 p.m.
---HerdZone.com---
