MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois baseball team returns to action after five days off when it travels to Big XII member Oklahoma State for a two-game midweek matchup beginning Tuesday, March 16.
The
Fighting Leathernecks (4-6) are coming off a 10-3 loss to Missouri in their last outing. Western enters the week in the midst of a three game slump including losses to Saint Louis and South Florida. The Leathernecks defeated then No. 11 Oklahoma State by a 7-4 score the last time the teams met (3/18/09). John Sneegas pitched eight innings and Andrew Hagins drove in three runs to fuel the upset.
Oklahoma State (8-2) enters this week's action in the middle of a four-game winning streak. The Cowboys swept a four-game set against Massachusetts over the weekend, outscoring the Minutemen 46-5 in the series. Oklahoma State has won seven of its last eight games and have picked up wins over USC, Minnesota, Northwestern and Oklahoma Christian this season.
The Matchup
Who: Western Illinois (4-6) vs. Oklahoma State (8-2)
When: Tuesday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Stillwater, Okla.
Stadium: Allie P. Reynolds Stadium (Capacity: 4,000; Field Dimensions: 330-398-330)
Series History: Western Illinois trails 2-21
Last Meeting: Western Illinois won 7-4 (3/18/09) at Stillwater, Okla.
Coverage
The Leatherneck Sports Network Broadcast
Streaming Audio • Rocky Vision
Ryan Bower, play by play
Web • GoLeathernecks.com
Listen Live on Rocky Vision (Free)
Oklahoma State will provide live stats for both games. They can be
accessed by clicking here (free).
Scouting the Cowboys
Oklahoma State enters play on a four-game winning streak, including a four-game sweep of Massachusetts this past weekend. The Cowboys have outscored opponents 91-35 this season, including 41 runs in their last three games. Oklahoma State's only loses have come against No. 30 Vanderbilt (2/28) and Loyola Marymount (3/7). The Cowboys finished last season 34-24 (9-16, Big XII) and reached the Clemson Regional in the 2009 NCAA Postseason Tournament.
The Cowboys are led offensively by sophomore infielder Mark Ginther. Ginther currently leads the team in home runs (3) and RBI (16) while ranking second in batting average (.410). He was 3-for-6 with four RBI and one homer in a 30-3 win over Western last season and is 3-for-10 lifetime against the Leathernecks.
The Cowboys are
also getting solid production from several other players in their
lineup. Nico Rosthenhausler ranks second on the team with 11 RBI while Dean Green and Davis Duren have each knocked in 10. Dane Phillips leads the team with a .425 batting average.
On the mound, Oklahoma State posts a 3.33 team ERA. Cowboy pitchers have recorded 89 strikeouts and just 35 walks while holding opponents to a .258 batting average. Junior righty Brad Propst leads the team with a 0.71 ERA this season. He is 1-0 with one save in three appearances (12.2 IP, 11 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 9 SO, 1 BB). The Cowboys have allowed just four home runs this season.
Game Notes
Myers returns
Sophomore catcher Curt Myers made his return to the lineup against Saint Louis after missing the previous five games. The Macomb native went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI against the Billikens. Myers is batting .421 with four RBI, one double and a home run in five games this season.
Newcomers make an impact
Western Illinois has felt an immediate impact this season from several newcomers. Northern Iowa transfer Jason Summers ranks first on the team in hits (15) and doubles (6) while ranking second in batting average (.366). Dan Dispensa, a true freshman, ranks third on the team in average (.294) and RBI (7) and has not committed an error in center field this year. Two junior college transfers have also made their presence felt as Devin VanBrooker leads all pitchers with two wins while Brayn Jordan ranks first on the team with nine RBI.
Hill continues dominance
RHP David Hill has been dominant on the mound this season. Hill has yet to surrender a run in 10.0 IP and has allowed just six hits in five relief appearances. He has recorded six strikeouts and walked three. His scoreless innings streak is the longest since Todd Nelson finished out the 2008 season with 8.2 scoreless innings.
Next Up
Western
will travel Birmingham, Ala. four a three-game set against UAB this weekend. The series starts Friday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m. and continues with afternoon games on Saturday (2 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.). All the action can be heard via Rocky Vision beginning 10 minutes before each scheduled start.
