Islanders Host Horns On Tuesday

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Texas A&M-Corpus Christi returns to Whataburger Field this Tuesday to faceoff with the University of Texas, in a game sponsored by Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital. The Islanders compete against the Longhorns two years removed from shutting out UT 5-0 in 2016 in Austin.

This week's matchup against Texas will be the Islanders fifth contest against a Big 12 opponent in 2018, after participating in a four-game series at Oklahoma earlier in the season. The Blue and Green already have wins against power-five competition this year after run-ruling the Sooners 14-4 on March 11th, and dropping previously ranked No. 21 Mississippi State 6-3 at Whataburger Field in February.

The Islanders look to improve upon their 3-1 record at Whataburger this Tuesday, with their lone loss at the venue coming by way of a 5-3 decision against a Texas A&M squad that's been ranked as high as seventh in 2018. 

WHAT TO KNOW
Who: Texas
When: Tuesday, 6:35 PM
Pitching Matchup: AMCC: L. Perez (4-1) v Texas: TBD (0-0)
Where: Whataburger Field | Corpus Christi, Texas
Watch: Islander Digital Network

PROMOTIONS/SPONSORSHIP>>> This Tuesday's contest is sponsored by Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital, an institution promoting a healing and nurturing environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

"Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital is excited to partner with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi for the unique opportunity to spread our message to a different demographic of individuals." comments CCRH CEO Nick Nilest. "A large part of our outreach extends to the medical community, but we want all of the Coastal Bend to be aware of the nationally recognized inpatient rehabilitation services that we, Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital, offer her locally. We are first and foremost passionate patient caregivers connected at the core by the treatment needs of our patients and dedicated to excellence in the provision of physical rehabilitation services."

"Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Athletics is excited to partner with Corpus Christi Rehab Hospital and having them sponsor our upcoming Islanders Baseball game with the University of Texas." says Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Athletic Director Scott Lazenby. "Community partners are vital to the success of Islanders Athletics and being able to work with Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital, a nationally recognized organization right here in Corpus Christi, further strengthens our presence in the community."

Islander fans can come to Tuesday's game early to take pictures with a helicopter courtesy of Espejo's Helicopters, who will be flying in CCRH's Nick Nilest for tomorrow's ceremonial first pitch.
 
AT THE PLATE
>> With 11 triples on the year, the Islanders are the top team in the SLC in that category and rank 12th in all of D1 baseball
>> Seven players have gone deep for the Blue and Green this year, with Harrison DiNicola grabbing a team-high of five in 2018
>> Corpus Christi has scored 10-plus runs on six occasions this year, holding a 6-0 record when reaching that total
>> Nick Anderson is on a four-game hit streak currently, while teammate Harrison DiNicola has reached first safely in all but three games this season (.449 OBP)
 
ON THE HILL
>> Leonel Perez will be on the mound for the Islanders against UT, he's tied for a team leading four wins this season
>> Perez is on a streak of four straight appearances without an earned run against. His 2018 ERA sits at 1.25 for the year, after giving up his only three earned runs of the year against Oklahoma in early March
>> Aaron Hernandez leads all Islanders with 51 strikeouts this season, while reliever Payton Bauer holds an Islander-best 12.75 K/9 (12.0 IP)
>> Five Corpus Christi pitchers are holding opponents to under a .200 batting average, with righty Will Floyd still yet to surrender a knock in 2018

IN THE FIELD
>> The Islanders' .974 fielding percentage currently ranks second in the Southland
>> Blue and Green catchers Drake Osborn and Scott Balfantz have gunned down four of nine stolen base attempts against them, with the former holding a team-high three runners caught stealing
>> Second baseman Andriud Martinez has helped turn 10 of the Islanders' 24 double plays this season, as Corpus Christi ranks fifth in the conference for that category

SCOUTING THE HORNS
>> Heading into their Tuesday contest against McNeese, sophomore David Hamilton ranks ninth in Division I Baseball with 16 stolen bases on the year
>> Nine Longhorns have gone deep this season, with junior Kody Clemens recording a team-high seven bombs in 2018
>> Drawing 164 walks this season, Texas ranks eighth in D1 baseball this season. The Horns have drawn five-plus bases on balls on 21 occasions thus far

COMING UP NEXT
After the Islanders' meeting with Texas, the side will get back to Southland Conference play against Southeastern Louisiana, on the road this Friday through Sunday. Corpus Christi took last season's series with the Lions 2-1 at Chapman Field, and is 12-20 against SELU all-time. 

The Blue and Green's contest against the Longhorns can be followed via the live stream provided by the Islander Digital Network, powered by AEP Texas.

STAY SOCIAL
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