MOBILE, Ala. - South Alabama (24-16, 10-8 SBC) is scheduled to take on Lamar (22-18, 14-7 SLC) in a midweek contest on Wednesday night at Stanky Field. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. (CT).


SERIES HISTORY
Although there are 21 games in history between South Alabama and Lamar, the two programs have matched up just once in the last two decades (2024). The Jaguars lead the all-time series 15-6, and took the 2024 midweek contest by a score of 7-1 at Stanky Field. The previous 20 meetings span from 1975-1998. The Jaguars lead all-time contests played at Stanky Field 10-1.


SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
Lamar leads the Southland Conference standings (14-7 SLC) heading into the midweek at South with a game lead on second-place Southeastern La. (13-8 SLC). The Cardinals have won five of seven conference series to this point, highlighted by a sweep over UTRGV and coming off a sweep over Northwestern State, which was a Sunday marathon taking a 15 inning game one of the doubleheader (4-3 final) followed by a 3-1 victory in the series finale to complete the sweep. Lamar leads the Southland in shutouts (4) complemented by a runner-up rank in the WHIP category (1.43). An even 2-2 record among Quad 2 opponents brings a fifth Quad 2 contest to its schedule at South Alabama. The Cardinals will travel to New Orleans to take on UNO for a weekend set after the midweek at Stanky Field.


PITCHING PROBABLES & LIVE ACTION OUTLETS
Wednesday: ESPN+, Jags Radio Network
South Alabama - Hayden O'Dell, LHP (1-2, 4.81 ERA)
Lamar - TBA


PRIMARY THREADS

• South Alabama opened week 10 securing the home-away season series sweep of Nicholls State on Tuesday night. After dropping its first Friday night game at home this season, the Jags responded by taking the Saturday and Sunday games over Marshall to secure its fourth Sun Belt series victory this season.
• Hayden O'Dell made his fifth midweek start when Alabama came to town Tuesday night. The senior went 5.0 innings with 7 K's for the no decision. At UAB, he tallied a career high 8 K's in a season-high 5.2 innings pitched (March 3). O'Dell will make his ninth start of the season, all in midweeks, against Lamar on Wednesday.
• Situational and timely hitting has been effective, where we've seen 15 sacrifice fly's and 35 sac bunts (3rd in SBC) as a team. Brennon Wright leads the sticks in hits (56) and batting average (.366), and Blake Guerin crushed two homers over the weekend at Georgia Southern for his Sun Belt-best 13th of the season.

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 .421 since the move in the lineup with a .488 OBP over the 10-game span. Stephens is 14-31 (.452) over the course of his season-high eight-game hit streak.


SHUT DOWN STEVENS
Zach Stevens has been lights out in relief in his junior season. He has allowed just four earned runs across 27.2 IP thus far and currently on a 12.2 inning scoreless streak over the course of his last five appearances. Set a single-season career high in strikeouts after surpassing the 30 mark, and currently has 37 punchouts. Tied for the team-lead in wins with 4.


FOLLOW THE JAGS
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