Crunch Time

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Finishing off their final midweek contest of the year on a 7-5 victory over Texas Southern, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi looks to take some momentum into the weekend, with the end of the regular season on the horizon.

Facing the McNeese Cowboys at Chapman Field this weekend, the Islanders hope to climb up a few spots in the Southland Conference standings, currently sitting just three games outside of the final seed in this year's conference tournament. Coming off a 2-1 series win over the Cowboys in 2017, the Islanders are an even 13-13 when facing McNeese all-time. 

Both sides will be hoping to bounce back this weekend after taking a loss in their most recent SLC series. The Blue and Green fell to third-place Central Arkansas 2-1 on the road, while the Cowboys received a 3-0 sweep at the hands of top-ranked Sam Houston State, at home in Lake Charles. 

Facing the same slate of opponents as last season, the Islanders closed out their final three series of 2017 on a 7-2 run. While a similar result in 2018 would not guarantee a spot in the postseason, it would put them well in range of a top-eight finish, as the Islanders hope to continue their trend of late-season dominance.

WHAT TO KNOW
Who: McNeese
When: Friday, 6 PM
Pitching Matchup: AMCC: A. Hernandez (2-5) v McNeese: G. Anderson (3-4)
Where: Chapman Field | Corpus Christi, Texas
Watch: Islander Digital Network

Who: McNeese
When: Saturday, 4 PM
Pitching Matchup: AMCC: D. Lacaze (2-4) v McNeese: B. King (3-4)
Where: Chapman Field | Corpus Christi, Texas
Watch: Islander Digital Network

Who: McNeese
When: Sunday, 1 PM
Pitching Matchup: AMCC: TBA v McNeese: T. Wesley (3-3)
Where: Chapman Field | Corpus Christi, Texas
Watch: Islander Digital Network

PROMOTIONS
Friday: In honor of May the Fourth, the first 100 fans to show up to the Islanders Friday game will receive a free light saber courtesy of Islander Athletics
Saturday: For our Cinco De Mayo celebration, the first 200 fans to make Saturday's contest will receive a green Islander koozie
Sunday: Capping off the weekend, Coach Scott Malone and Islanders baseball will be hosting a free coaching clinic immediately after the completion of Sunday's contest

AT THE PLATE
>> Averaging just under 10 hits per game, the Islanders' 449 total hits on the year rank 27th in Division I baseball
>> With 19 HBP, outfielder Nick Anderson currently sits fourth in the country, while his team's total of 59 is just six short of tying a program record
>> Itchy Burts is presently on a 12-game hitting streak, trailing only Andriud Martinez' 14 from earlier this year, for a team season-high
>> Jackson Owens hit his second bomb of the year against Texas Southern this Wednesday to pull even with Harrison DiNicola for a team-lead in RBI (30). The Islanders' 23 jacks in 2018 have already tied their total from 2017, with nine games still remaining on schedule
 
ON THE HILL
>> Aaron Hernandez takes the hill for the Islanders in game one. His 83 strikeouts are 39th in the nation, as the right hander has recorded four double-digit strikeout performances this year
>> Dustin Lacaze will take the Saturday start, issuing just 17 walks over the course of the season (2.83 BB/9)
>> Seven Islander arms are holding opponents' batting averages below the Mendoza Line, three of which are averaging better than 9.00 K/9
>> Lefty reliever Cody LeCompte currently leads the Islanders with a WHIP of 1.15, and is second on the team in terms of ERA (3.18)

SCOUTING THE COWBOYS
>> Twin brothers Grant and Aidan Anderson have a combined record of 8-8 on the season, with the latter leading his team in saves (5) and the former earning the Friday start
>> The McNeese offense gets a major push from its ability to hit the long ball. Their 34 home runs on the season sit third in the Southland
>> The Cowboys pitching staff is one of three SLC teams sitting top-10 in the country in hit batters, their combined total of 71 sits eighth in D1

The Islanders home contests with McNeese will be broadcast, as are all home games, on the Islander Digital Network, powered by AEP Texas.

COMING UP NEXT
Getting into the final three weeks of the season, the Islanders begin to face some 'must-win' scenarios in the coming weeks of Southland-play. After tangoing with the Cowboys, the Blue and Green host another home Southland series against UIW the following weekend. While the Cardinals currently sit six games ahead of Corpus Christi, in sixth place, the Islanders are 7-1 all-time when facing Incarnate Word inside the Chap.

STAY SOCIAL
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