Marshall University Athletics
@HerdBaseball Visits Tennessee Wednesday
3/21/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The Marshall baseball team (10-7, 2-1 C-USA) begins its four-game road swing Wednesday with a clash against the Southeastern Conference's Tennessee Volunteers (12-5, 0-3 SEC) at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. (ET).
ON THE MOUND
RHP Brad O'Connor (1-0, 6.92 ERA) vs. RHP Daniel Vasquez (2-0, 2.61 ERA).
O'Connor will make his first start for the Thundering Herd this season. He has made five relief appearances on the mound with 13 innings pitched and seven strikeouts. The Springfield, Ore., native picked up his lone win against the Niagara Purple Eagles.
HAVE YOU HERD?
Marshall is off to a strong start in March, recording three straight series wins and holds an 8-2 record. The Herd began Conference USA action this past weekend by taking two of a three-game series against the UTSA Roadrunners. Marshall has won six straight C-USA series dating back to April 2016.
The Thundering Herd ranks in the top 10 in the NCAA in two categories, while four Herd players rank first in three categories in Conference USA. Marshall is eighth for double plays with 23 and second for double plays per game with 1.35. Sophomore pitchers Wade Martin and Patrick Murphy are tied for first in league action for games started with five. Sam Finfer ranks No.1 for home runs per game with 0.33, and Tyler Ratliff is No. 1 for RBIs per game with 1.44.
SCOUTING THE VOLS
Tennessee is coming off a disappointing weekend as it was swept at home by the No. 7 South Carolina Gamecocks. The Volunteers are led by five players with a batting average over .300. Leading the team is Jeff Moberg with a .417 batting average. He is tied for a team-high 15 RBIs with Jordan Rodgers.
Tennessee is currently receiving votes from the USA Today Coaches' Poll and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).
#OneHerd
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UP NEXT
Marshall closes out its four-game road trip with a three-game series against Conference USA foe Southern Miss (16-4, 3-0 C-USA). The Golden Eagles are scheduled to play Mississippi State Tuesday Night.
