University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Baseball Plays Southeastern Louisiana in Pair of Midweek Games
3/7/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Stats: Southern Miss - Southeastern Louisiana
TV: None
Radio Network: Hattiesburg (WKZW-FM, 94.3), Jackson (WJDX-AM 620), Columbia (WFFF-FM, 96.7), Gulfport/Biloxi (WTNI-AM 1640/WXBD-AM 1490); Southern Miss Gameday App (free)
Webstream Link ($): Tuesday - Wednesday
Live Stats: Tuesday -
Pitching Probables --
Tuesday - RH Nick Johnson, Sr. (0-0, 1.69 ERA) vs. RH Pat Cashman, Sr. (2-0, 5.59 ERA), 6 pm (Hammond)
Wednesday -- RH Josh Green (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. TBA , 6 p.m. (Hattiesburg)
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - After sweeping three games in the Cox Diamond Invitational over the weekend, the Southern Miss baseball team returns to action this week against an old foe, Southeastern Louisiana, in a pair of midweek contest.
The two schools, which haven't played since 2008, play a pair of single 6 p.m., contests, Tuesday, in Hammond, and, Wednesday, in Hattiesburg.
The Golden Eagles enjoy their best start since the 2007 season with their 10-2 record. Strong pitching over the weekend, which allowed only three runs along with 31 strikeouts and only six walks and 19 hits, helped lift the team over Michigan State, Troy and Auburn down in Pensacola, Fla., for the tournament.
The defense for Southern Miss also sees a continued improvement after committing just three errors and turning five double plays to see their fielding percentage increase to .971 for the season.
Southern Miss' power prowess also remains constant, having tallied a .310 team batting average over the first 12 games with 14 doubles, two triples and 17 home runs.
Seven Golden Eagles currently hit above the .300 mark, including Tracy Hadley leading the way at .417 albeit in an abbreviated role. The junior suffered an early season injury, but has returned to action and tripled against Michigan State over the weekend.
Senior Tim Lynch, who had an 11-game hitting streak snapped Sunday, ranks next at .404, followed by senior Jake Sandlin (.350), senior Nick Dawson (.333), sophomore Daniel Keating (.333), sophomore Taylor Braley (.318) and freshman Storme Cooper (.304).
The Golden Eagles expect to throw senior right-hander Nick Johnson against the Lions (6-5) in the opener on Tuesday and are undecided on its Wednesday starter at this time. Johnson, who has no record with one save, makes his first start of the season for Southern Miss after coming out of the pen his first four outings and posting a 1.69 earned run average.
The Lions look to counter with senior right-hander Pat Cashman, who holds a 2-0 record with a 5.59 ERA in the opening game. Sophomore righty Josh Green (0-0, 0.00 ERA) gets the call for the Lions on Wednesday.
Following the pair of midweek games, the Golden Eagles return home this weekend to face Samford in a three-game set. Game times are 6 p.m., Friday, 2 p.m., Saturday, and 1 p.m., Sunday.
Tickets for any Southern Miss home baseball game can be purchased by going online at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or by visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office weekdays during normal business hours. The Pete Taylor Park box office also opens two hours prior to each home game.
