Kats back in Southland action, visit ACU
3/30/2017 8:08:00 PM | Baseball
Games 26-28
Friday, March 31 – Sunday, April 2 • Abilene, Texas • Crutcher Scott Field
Sam Houston State (17-8, 6-0 SLC) vs. Abilene Christian (9-13, 1-8 SLC) • Game Notes
Live Stats • Audio (Game 1) • Video (Games 2 & 3) • @BearkatsBSB on Twitter
ABILENE – Sam Houston State hits the road for just the third time this season and first in Southland Conference play, visiting Abilene Christian for a three-game set beginning Friday at 6 p.m.
The Bearkats have spent 23 of their first 25 games at home and ran off 14 victories in 15 outings before dropping three of their last four. Despite the recent results, Sam Houston has flexed its muscle in league action. The squad has won 11-straight league games dating to May 8, 2016, and as many straight three-game league series, dating to March 18-20 a season ago.
The weekend visit will begin 13 of 16 games away from Don Sanders Stadium. The Kats will visit Texas on Tuesday before returning home next weekend for three games against Nicholls.
WEEKEND ROTATION
Friday – RHP Heath Donica (4-1, 1.25 ERA) vs. RHP Drew Hanson (2-1, 4.30 ERA)
Saturday – LHP Seth Ballew (2-1, 4.97 ERA) vs. RHP Jonah Smith (1-1, 3.57 ERA)
Sunday – RHP Hayden Wesneski (5-1, 3.47 ERA) vs. RHP Case Rolen (1-1, 3.38 ERA)
BEST START IN SOUTHLAND HISTORY
Sam Houston's 6-0 start in Southland Conference play is the best in program history. Since joining the Southland for the 1988 season, the Kats had begun the conference slate with a 5-1 record four separate times coming in 1989, 1993, 2000 and 2009.
The Bearkats swept Lamar and A&M-Corpus Christi to begin the season and are hitting .350 through six league games including a .451 on base percentage. On the mound, the Bearkats have posted a 2.50 ERA, limiting the Cardinals and Islanders to a .246 batting average.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP VS. ABILENE CHRISTIAN
Sam Houston and Abilene Christian meet for the 40th time in the history of both programs on Friday with the Bearkats owning a 32-7 advantage including 8-2 mark over the last 10 meetings. Despite the lopsided win-loss total, five of the last 10 matchups have been decided by two runs or fewer.
A season ago, Sam Houston took all three games against the Wildcats at Don Sanders Stadium, running the squad's win streak to seven consecutive games.
While Bearkat hitting was largely held in check against ACU a season ago, Sam Houston pitching was dominant, posting a 1.16 ERA in the three games. Among those who started against ACU a season ago, the Kats return starters Heath Donica and Riley Gossett along with eight everyday starters.
SAM HOUSTON IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
The Bearkats are third nationally in sacrifice bunts (30), fourth in triples (13), seventh in walks allowed per nine innings (2.51), eighth in triples per game (0.52), 16th in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.19), 18th in stolen bases (41), 26th in WHIP (1.2), 27th in sac flies (14), 28th in stolen bases per game (1.64), 32nd in earned run average (3.31), 36th in batting average (.304), 42nd in runs (172), 47th in fielding percentage (.976) and 48th in scoring (6.9).
QUOTEABLES:
Head coach Matt Deggs on the series and practice in Abilene…
“It was good to get back out here. We've had two great practices in a row. Guys are hungry to get rolling again. This is a really good ballclub we are facing this weekend. They play well at home. We need to get after it heading into tomorrow night.”
Head coach Matt Deggs on the advantage on throwing Heath Donica on Friday…
“He sets the tone for the entire weekend and everybody falls in. Anytime you have an ace that's what they do. Any time you have a stopper, that's what they do. It's good to have him in that spot. We are really excited to play. They love to compete.”
Head coach Matt Deggs on the defensive focus after the Rice game Tuesday…
“That was uncharacteristic of us. Over the course of 60-70 games, that will happen. When it happens, hopefully it's earlier rather than later. We're ready to get back to playing good baseball.”
