MOBILE, Ala. - South Alabama (22-15, 8-7 SBC) has its sights set on a weekend series hosting Marshall (17-18, 8-7 SBC) who is visiting Stanky Field for the first time in program history, opening on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. (CT).

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


SERIES HISTORY
South Alabama and Marshall have a brief history due to the Herd realigning from Conference USA to the Sun Belt in July 2022, making its first baseball season as an SBC member in 2023. The two squads have only matched-up in one weekend series in history, when Marshall secured the weekend sweep of South in 2025 in Huntington, W.Va. Marshall will visit Stanky Field for the first time in program history.


SCOUTING THE HERD
Marshall's 17-18 overall record does not reflect its proven resilience in Sun Belt Conference play to post a strong 8-7 mark through the 2026 campaign. The Herd swept Georgia State in its SBC opener before taking two of three from Georgia Southern. Tough battles to ranked opponents then-No. 17 West Virginia in a midweek prior to being swept by then-No. 15 Coastal marks an 0-4 record to ranked teams. The Herd dropped its series at App State before taking Sunday's rubber match against Old Dominion to finalize its conference slate thus far. Sitting at 165 RPI, Marshall preps for a Quad 2 series at South coming in with an 0-4 record in that section (Kennesaw St., Winthrop, 2 games @ Louisville). The Herd is a Quad 4 match-up for South.


PITCHING PROBABLES & LIVE ACTION OUTLETS
Friday: ESPN+, Jags Radio Network
South Alabama - Mitchell Heer, RHP (4-1, 4.47 ERA)
Marshall - Bryce Blevins, LHP (6-2, 4.71 ERA)

Saturday: ESPN+, Jags Radio Network
South Alabama - Ryland Bozenhard, RHP (1-1, 4.84 ERA)
Marshall - Drew Harlow, RHP (3-3, 4.33 ERA)

Sunday: ESPN+, Jags Radio Network
South Alabama - Daniel Gonzalez, RHP (4-2, 3.80 ERA)
Marshall - Kenyon Collins, RHP (2-3, 6.15 ERA)


PRIMARY THREADS

• The Jags took two of three after a dramatic rubber match finish at Georgia Southern on Sunday. South Alabama opened week 10 securing the home-away season series sweep of Nicholls State on Tuesday night. The Jags eye a pivotal weekend set with Marshall slated to visit Mobile.
• Friday - Mitchell Heer - The familiar face has been a tone setter as the Friday face thus far for the Jaguars. Heer has a team-leading four Quality Starts in nine appearances, alongside a 4-1 record with a 4.47 ERA. In arguably his best start of the season and definitely his most efficient, Heer delivered a career-high 7.2 IP in just 87 pitches on Friday at Georgia Southern with 8 K for a no-decision.
• Saturday - Ryland Bozenhard - Heading into his sixth Saturday start for the Jags -  The right-hander 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. In a clutch outing at No. 14 Coastal, went 3.2 scoreless to set up the Jags for a 15-2 victory. Earned his first win of the season last time out at Georgia Southern.
• Sunday - Daniel Gonzalez - The former ULM Friday night arm has been the Sunday regular for the Jags. Gonzo leads the Jaguar pitching staff in strikeouts (49), and recorded a career-high 9 strikeouts vs. West Georgia. Threw the first Jaguar seven-inning CG since 2023 against ODU in rubber match victory for his second Quality Start and tied his career high in K's (9). He's been a serious competitor with a 3.80 ERA (leads starters) and seven of nine starts have been 5.0+ IP.

CHANGE OF SCENERY
After being the regular three-hole in the Jaguar batting order, Marc Stephens was moved to the seven-spot for the first time in game two at No. 14 Coastal. The shortstop has hit .423 since the move in the lineup with a .516 OBP over the seven-game span.


LEAD-OFF (RBI?) MACHINE
While Brennon Wright reached 8 RBI over the first 14 games to start the season, he has tallied a team-leading 8 RBI over the last three games. The second baseman has 27 RBI on the season and sneaks into the top-3 on the team behind Guerin and Mathews.


MOONSHOT MADNESS
Sun Belt HR leader Blake Guerin hit his 13th and longest homer of the season on Sunday at Georgia Southern. The tape measure showed 445' beating his previous season-long of 443'. Guerin has homered in eight of nine weekend series this season, four of which for multi-HR series.


FOLLOW THE JAGS
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