Into The Lion's Den

Baseball | April 05, 2018

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Texas A&M-Corpus Christi returns to Southland action this Friday, facing Southeastern Louisiana in a three-game series in Hammond. 

The last SLC series the Lions lost was against the Islanders in 2017, as the Blue and Green will attempt to put an end to SELU's streak of nine straight Southland series victories. Corpus Christi recorded 29 hits over their three games against the Lions last year, beating a Southeastern Louisiana squad that earned an at-large bid to last season's NCAA Baseball Championship tournament. 

WHAT TO KNOW
Who: Southeastern Louisiana
When: Friday, 6 PM
Pitching Matchup: AMCC: D. Lacaze (2-2) v SELU: Josh Green (4-1)
Where: Pat Kenelly Diamond | Hammond, La.
Watch: LionVision

WHAT TO KNOW
Who: Southeastern Louisiana
When: Saturday, 2 PM
Pitching Matchup: AMCC: A. Hernandez (1-4) v SELU: Carlisle Koestler (5-1)
Where: Pat Kenelly Diamond | Hammond, La.
Watch: LionVision

WHAT TO KNOW
Who: Southeastern Louisiana
When: Sunday, 1 PM
Pitching Matchup: AMCC: J. Owens (2-1) v SELU: TBD (0-0)
Where: Pat Kenelly Diamond | Hammond, La.
Watch:LionVision
 
AT THE PLATE
>> The Islanders have collected 11 triples this year to rank 15th in the country, led by four from third baseman Jackson Owens
>> The Blue and Green has swiped a bag in its last seven games, with a total of 13 stolen bases on the current streak. The side ranks 42nd in Division I baseball with 41 steals in 2018
>> Nick Anderson has taken 10 HBP this year to rank 33rd in D1 baseball, and is on a five game on-base streak
>> First baseman Harrison DiNicola has hit in 14 of his last 15 appearances, averaging .357 over that period of time
 
ON THE HILL
>> Corpus Christi's Friday starter Dustin Lacaze has issued just 10 walks in the 2018 season, giving the righty a 3.30 K/BB on the year
>> Aaron Hernandez comes into the weekend after recording his fourth quality start of the year, holding New Orleans to five hits and a single earned run over 6.2 IP last week
>> Jackson Owens will close out the weekend for the Islanders with the Sunday start. He held the Privateers to a single earned run during 5.2 innings of work, while recording his fourth triple of 2018 the previous week
>> The Islander pitching staff leads the Southland with three shutouts this season, only 22 D1 teams in the country have more 

IN THE FIELD
>> The Blue and Green have turned 24 double plays this season. Second baseman Andriud Martinez has a hand in 10 of those plays
>> Backstops Drake Osborn and Scott Balfantz are a combined 4-for-12 (.333) when attempting to throw out runners this season

SCOUTING THE LIONS
>> Despite hitting .257, SELU has found other ways to get on base this year, ranking 18th in the country in walks (159) and third in hit by pitches (58)
>> The Lions are one of just nine teams in the country to turn a triple play this year, and have not lost an SLC series this year
>> SELU ace Carlisle Koestler is scheduled for the Saturday start against the Islanders, with the righty holding a 5-1 record and a 2.23 ERA

COMING UP NEXT
The Islanders will stay on the road after their series at SELU, heading to Sugar Land for the first leg of a home-and-home series with Houston Baptist. Corpus Christi is 11-4 against the Huskies all-time and has won five of their last six contests with HBU.

STAY SOCIAL
For more information on Islanders Baseball, follow the team on Twitter (@IslandersBSB), Instagram (@islandersbsb) and like their Facebook page (Islanders Baseball).