CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - After tallying its first Southland series victory against Northwestern State last week, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi looks to continue its current run in conference play, matching with New Orleans at home this Friday through Sunday.
The Islanders shot up the RPI this past week, coming in ranked 52nd in the country, after winning four of their last six games played. The Blue and Green is coming off a recent 5-3 loss to No. 13 Texas A&M this past weekend, putting their overall record against top-25 ranked teams at 1-1 in 2018, after claiming two of three at NSU. Corpus Christi took one of three contests against the Privateers in 2017, with current Corpus Christi righty
Dustin Lacaze earning the Sunday start, but are 3-1 against teams from the state of Louisiana in 2018.
WHAT TO KNOW
Who: New Orleans
When: Thursday, 6 PM
Pitching Matchup: AMCC: D. Lacaze (2-1) v UNO: B. Warzek (1-0)
Where: Chapman Field | Corpus Christi, Texas
Watch: Islander Digital Network
Who: New Orleans
When: Friday, 6 PM
Pitching Matchup: AMCC: A. Hernandez (1-3) v UNO: J. Stephens (2-2)
Where: Chapman Field | Corpus Christi, Texas
Watch: Islander Digital Network
Who: New Orleans
When: Friday, 1 PM
Pitching Matchup: AMCC: J. Owens (2-1) v UNO: K. Arjona (2-2)
Where: Chapman Field | Corpus Christi, Texas
Watch: Islander Digital Network
AT THE PLATE
>>
Harrison DiNicola is currently on an 11-game hitting streak, and has reached first in all but two games for the Islanders this season
>>
Jackson Owens is on his own hit streak of five games, collecting his first home run of the season against Northwestern State this last week. He's averaging .450 during his current streak
>> The Islanders are averaging 9.67 hits per game over their past six contests, while eight or more Blue and Green starters have reached first safely in Corpus Christi's past four games played
>> With 10 triples on the year, only 10 teams in the country have more three-baggers than the Blue and Green in 2018. Dinicola and Owens lead the Islanders with three apiece
ON THE HILL
>> Friday starter
Dustin Lacaze holds an ERA of 2.80 this year, and has posted back to back quality starts against Northwestern State and Sam Houston State
>>
Aaron Hernandez leads all Islander arms with 43 strikeouts this season, and tallied a complete game shutout earlier this year against Utah Valley
>> Three Islander relievers hold an ERA of 0.00 on the year, while freshman
A.G. Ayala is on a streak of nine shutout appearances. The lefty is yet to give up an earned run in his career on the Island
>> Right hander
Leonel Perez has been big for the Islanders the past couple of weeks, posting nine shutout innings between his start against UH-Victoria and a relief appearance against NSU. The freshman's ERA has shrunk down to a miniscule 1.40 in 2018, making three straight appearances without an earned run against
IN THE FIELD
>> The Islanders' .978 fielding percentage ranks 28th in the country, with 17 players posting a perfect 1.000 for the year
>> With 20 double plays this season, the Blue and Green rank 58th in the country in that category
SCOUTING THE PRIVATEERS
>> UNO is 1-4 in their previous five games, after getting swept by Central Arkansas at home the previous weekend
>> Friday starter Bryan Warzek currently ranks ninth in Division I baseball with 55 strikeouts this year
>> The Privateer pitching staff sits 20th in the country with a 10.0 K/9, but have already hit 37 batters through 25 games this year
COMING UP NEXT
After their three games against the Privateers, the Islanders return to Whataburger Field to faceoff with the University of Texas, in a contest sponsored by Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital. Corpus Christi's last victory against the Longhorns came in 2016, as
Aaron Hernandez earned a win against UT in a 5-0 shutout of the Horns in Austin.
The Blue and Green's contests against New Orleans and Texas can be followed via the live stream provided by the Islander Digital Network, powered by AEP Texas.
STAY SOCIAL
For more information on Islanders Baseball, follow the team on Twitter (
@IslandersBSB), Instagram (
@islandersbsb) and like their Facebook page (
Islanders Baseball).
- Go Islanders -
