MOBILE, Ala. - South Alabama (16-9, 3-3 SBC) will host Old Dominion (12-12, 2-4 SBC) who is set to visit Stanky Field for the first time since 1990 for a Sun Belt Conference weekend series. Friday night's series opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (CT).

The series continues on Saturday with first pitch at 2:00 p.m., while Sunday's series finale is slated for 12:00 p.m.


SERIES HISTORY
The Monarchs and the Jaguars have played a total of 10 games in the all-time series, where the Monarchs hold a 4-6 advantage. The two teams played each other for the first time in the 1983 Sun Belt Tournament, where the Jaguars took two of three. The programs met again in the SBC Tournament in 1990 when the Monarchs handed South a loss, and did not meet again until 2024 when ODU took two of three from the Jaguars in Norfolk, Va. The teams squared up for the third time in history in the 2024 SBC Tournament, resulting in an ODU victory by a 3-2 final score. Old Dominion is visiting Stanky Field for the first time since the Jaguars hosted the 1990 SBC Tournament.


SCOUTING THE MONARCHS
Old Dominion enters South Alabama sitting at .500 on the season (12-12), highlighted by a series victory over Quinnipiac in its home opener, followed by a sweep over Niagara. Two Sun Belt Conference wins came on Friday night in both series vs. Troy and App State thus far, but have resulted in series losses after the Saturday and Sunday contests. Leading into South Alabama, the Monarchs split its midweek contests with a loss vs. William & Mary, and left Richmond with a victory on Wednesday night.


PITCHING PROBABLES & LIVE ACTION OUTLETS
Friday: ESPN+, Jags Radio Network
South Alabama - Mitchell Heer, RHP (3-0, 3.97 ERA)
Old Dominion - Darin Kuskie, RHP (2-3, 8.34 ERA)

Saturday: ESPN+, Jags Radio Network
South Alabama - Ryland Bozenhard, RHP (0-1, 5.32 ERA)
Old Dominion - JJ Gatti, RHP (0-3, 5.96 ERA)

Sunday: ESPN+, Jags Radio Network
South Alabama - Daniel Gonzalez, RHP (2-2, 3.38)
Old Dominion - Nick Sulpizio (1-0, 6.75 ERA)


PRIMARY THREADS

• The Jaguars are coming off a series victory vs. ULM after a midweek win against Alabama. The Jaguars matched up with its second SEC foe when it dropped its previous Tuesday night midweek vs. #5 Auburn in Montgomery, Ala.
• As of 3/26 - Brennon has currently ranked 1st in the SBC in batting average (.407), 3rd in hits (37), and leads the conference in on-base percentage (.530). Ranked 19th nationally among Division I 2nd basemen and 6th among Mid Majors (D1Baseball).
• First baseman Blake Guerin currently ranks second in the Sun Belt in the homer category (8) after launching three long balls in all three games vs. ULM, including one that traveled 443 ft. Guerin leads the Jags in RBI with 28.
• It is no mistake the Jaguars are 6-0 to start the season on Friday nights when Mitchell Heer is on the hill. Heer has a team-leading three Quality Starts in just six appearances, alongside a perfect 3-0 record with a 3.97 ERA.
• Heading into his fourth Saturday start for the Jags is right-hander Ryland Bozenhard -  started the season with two appearances out of the bullpen for a 6.75 ERA in 6.2 innings, but has since transitioned to a starter role highlighted by back to back 5.2 inning starts vs. LA Tech and Louisiana and allowed only four earned combined.
• Daniel Gonzalez, former ULM Friday night arm, has been the Sunday regular for the Jags. Gonzo leads the Jaguar pitching staff in strikeouts (35), and recorded a career-high 9 strikeouts vs. West Georgia. Gonzo is a high energy guy and is not afraid to express his emotion on the hill. He's been a serious competitor with a 3.38 ERA (leads starters above 2 starts) and five of six starts have been 5.0+ IP.
• Among go-to relievers in the bullpen is Jaxon Shineflew, who arguably has had the most dominant appearance on the hill thus far against Charleston and West Georgia, posting absolutely identical appearances in 4.0 innings pitched, 0 hits, 0 ER, and the save in both. The southpaw tacked on another 5.2 scoreless innings over the weekend at Louisiana to push his scoreless streak to 18.2 innings consecutively, but snapped the streak allowing an earned run vs. ULM after 19.1 scoreless. Shineflew ranks 1st in the Sun Belt in the WHIP category (0.85).

FOLLOW THE JAGS
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