GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum baseball team returns to action this weekend as the Pioneers travel to Coker University for a three-game South Atlantic Conference series with the Cobras at Tom J. New Field at Dave Schmotzer Stadium.
The two teams will open the series with a Friday night single game at 6 p.m. and will conclude with a 1 p.m. Saturday doubleheader.
The Pioneers (12-14, 3-9 SAC) are coming off a solid 11-5 non-conference home win on Tuesday against Lee University.
TU is in 10th place in the SAC standings with four conference series remaining including this weekend's trip to Hartsville. Coker (10-19, 5-4 SAC) holds down the No. 6 spot in the league and have won three of their last four games including last week's 2-1 SAC series victory at Carson-Newman.
The Pioneers have the second-most difficult schedule in the NCAA Division II ranks having played 15 games against nationally-ranked teams (7-8 record in those games).
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
Senior outfielder Wes Reynolds continues to lead the Pioneers at the plate where he has a .348 batting average with 31 hits, including six doubles, five home runs and 22 RBI.
Will Sameulson is second on the club with his .319 batting average where he has 22 hits to his credit including five doubles, two home runs and 13 RBI.
Sophomore outfielder Zane Keener is coming off a four-RBI performance on Tuesday against Lee which including a three-run homer, his fifth round-tripper of the season.
On the mound, TU reliever Justin Parker posted one of his best efforts last Friday when he pitched four shutout innings with six strikeouts in TU's 8-5 win at No. 16 Newberry. Parker has a 2.49 earned run average with a 2-1 record including a save. He has 19 strikeouts in his 25.1 relief appearances.
Sam Loew has worked his way into the starting rotation for the last three SAC series. He has a 2-0 record with a 2.37 ERA. In his last three starts, he 1.26 ERA and has allowed only 12 hits over the past 14.1 innings with nine strikeouts and one walk.
Also slated to get the starts this weekend for Tusculum are veterans Gunner Becker (1-3, 5.23 ERA, 29 K) and Harbor Jefferson (3-4, 5.72 ERA, 22 K).
SCOUTING THE COBRAS
Leading the Cobras at the plate is senior infielder Phill Griffor. He has a .369 batting average with 10 doubles and a 23 RBI. Sophomore first baseman Kody Hanna is batting .301 with 10 doubles, two home runs and 18 RBI, while catcher Ashby Vining has a .300 average with six doubles and six RBI.
The pitching trio of Triston Fowler (2-1, 5.85 ERA, 29 K), Chris Watkins (2-3, 5.65 ERA, 34 K) and Brendan Mullins (0-3, 5.32 ERA, 19 K) are slated to get the starts this weekend for Coker.
The Cobras are batting .265 as a team and have a staff ERA of 7.25.
SERIES HISTORY
The Pioneers lead the all-time series 13-9 with the Cobras and have won four in a row including three in a row in their last visit to Hartsville. The two teams last met in last year's SAC Tournament which the Pioneers eliminated the Cobras.
FOLLOW THE GAMES
Coker University is scheduled to provide video and statistics for this weekend's games. Video and live stat links are available at www.TusculumPioneers.com.
TICKETS
Fans traveling to Hartsville this weekend may purchase tickets either in advance or at the game via HomeTown Ticketing. Ticket links are available on the Tusculum Baseball Schedule page.
