MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama baseball team will put its season-best six-game winning streak on the line this weekend when it heads to Lafayette, La., for a three-game Sun Belt Conference series against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, beginning Friday at 6 p.m.
South Alabama and ULL enter the weekend tied for fourth in the Sun Belt at 8-7. The Jaguars are 52-32 all-time against the Ragin’ Cajuns and 16-15 all-time in Lafayette.
Jaguar right-hander Garrett Harris (4-2) will get the start on the hill for USA, while Taylor Hubbell (4-3) will get the nod for the Ragin’ Cajuns. Saturday’s 6 p.m. contest will feature South Alabama right-hander Dustin Crenshaw (6-1) going against ULL right-hander Joe Zimmermann (1-3). The series will conclude Sunday at 1 p.m. with right-hander Carlton Paris (2-3) on the mound for the Jags and left-hander T.J. Geith (3-3) gettting the start for the Ragin’ Cajuns.
South Alabama (21-16, 8-7 SBC) enters the weekend on a league-best six-game winning streak – its longest of the season. The Jaguars are batting .420 over their six-game streak, and have scored 65 runs on 95 hits during that span. USA has outscored the opposition 65-31 over its last six games. The Jags have recorded 10-plus hits in seven consecutive games, and have scored 10-plus runs in three of their last four contests. During their six-game winning streak, USA has improved its team batting average from .295 to .310.
The Jaguars swept UALR last weekend to improve to 8-7 in SBC play, and scored 41 runs on 47 hits in the three-game set. In its last 10 games, South Alabama is hitting .369 with 31 doubles, three triples, five home runs, 86 RBI, and has scored 91 runs. USA leads the Sun Belt in doubles (87), is tied for first in sacrifice flies (22), and ranks second in batting average (.310), slugging percentage (.441), on-base percentage (.390), hits (404), total bases (574) and is tied for second in RBI (218). The Jags rank third in the league in homers with 23.
Nolan Earley leads the SBC in doubles (17), while Taylor White is tied for first with 15 stolen bases. White ranks fourth in the league in hits with 58 entering the weekend.
Brent Tanner, the reigning SBC Player of the Week, ranks third in the conference in slugging percentage (.607), and is tied for third in home runs (7), RBI (34) and total bases (88). Tanner is hitting .463 in his last 10 games, with four doubles, three homers, 14 RBI and 11 runs scored. Tanner has raised his batting average 49 points over his last 10 contests, going from .330 to .379, and has recorded six multiple-hit games in that span.
Harris and Crenshaw lead the Sun Belt in innings pitched (66), while Harris is tied for the league lead in strikeouts with 61. Crenshaw is tied for the conference lead in walks allowed (5) and tied for third in wins (6).
Greg Fontenot leads ULL in batting average (.346) and hits (47), and is tied for the team lead with nine stolen bases. Jordan Poirrier leads the Ragin’ Cajuns in home runs (6), RBI (39), slugging percentage (.529) and total bases (82). ULL is hitting .284 as a team, while its pitching staff boasts a 3.86 team ERA.
Hubbell will make his ninth start of the season Friday night, and carries a 3.50 ERA with 48 strikeouts against just 12 walks in 61 1/3 innings pitched. The left-hander has tosseed two complete games and has one shutout to his credit this year.
Zimmermann carries a 4.42 ERA with 20 strikeouts and 13 walks in 36 2/3 innings into Saturday’s contest. The right-hander will make his eighth start of the season on Saturday. Opponents are hitting .282 against him this year.
Geith enters Sunday’s matchup with a 5.09 ERA in 40 2/3 innings pitched. The left-hander has struck out 26 while walking 17, and opponents are batting .267 against him.
All three games of this weekend’s series will be broadcast on WNSP 105.5 FM in Mobile, and can be accessed nationwide at www.wnsp.com
Live stats for every game will also be available at www.usajaguars.com.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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South Alabama (21-16, 8-7 SBC) vs. UL at Lafayette (21-17, 8-7 SBC)
April 22-24 • M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field
Lafayette, La.
Probable Starting Pitchers
Game 1
Fri., April 22 – 6 p.m.
USA – RHP Garrett Harris (4-2, 3.14 ERA)
ULL – LHP Taylor Hubbell (4-3, 3.50 ERA)
Game 2
Sat., April 23 – 6 p.m.
USA – RHP Dustin Crenshaw (6-1, 3.27 ERA)
ULL – RHP Joe Zimmermann (1-3, 4.42 ERA)
Game 3
Sun., April 24 – 1 p.m.
USA – RHP Carlton Paris (2-3, 4.81 ERA)
ULL – LHP T.J. Geith (3-3, 5.09 ERA)
