Midweek Matchups: Islanders travel to UTRGV, host UMass

EDINBURG, Texas -- The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi baseball program (11-6-0, 2-1 Southland) takes a quick break from conference action with a pair of midweek matchups, initially traveling south for a Tuesday evening contest at rival UT-Rio Grande Valley (11-5-0, 0-0 WAC) in the opening round of the South Texas Showdown, presented by NavyArmy Community Credit Union. Another strong weekend at the plate has pushed this high-octane Islanders offense into the national spotlight, as the team currently ranks second overall amongst the 297 Division I programs in total hits (193) as well as fifth in team batting average (.324 BA). Individually, junior Itchy Burts continues to act as a critical cog within the Blue & Green batting order, posting a team-best 26 hits on the season thus far, good for 15th nationally and first in the Southland.

Opponent: UT-Rio Grande Valley
Date: Tuesday, Mar. 12
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: UTRGV Baseball Stadium | Edinburg, Texas
Live Stats: HERE
Live Video: HERE

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas -- After wrapping up the five-game road stretch at UTRGV, the Islanders return to Corpus Christi for a quick turnaround against visiting UMass (4-3-0, 0-0 A-10), matching wits with the Minutemen for the first time in program history. The matchup will serve as the ninth-straight road contest for UMass as the Minutemen open the season seeking warmer weather, battling UTRGV this past weekend in a a three-game series and squaring off at fellow Southland member Incarnate Word on Tuesday evening.

Opponent: UMass
Date: Wednesday, Mar. 13
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Chapman Field | Corpus Christi, Texas
Live Stats: HERE
Live Video: HERE
Tickets: HERE
 

• Scott Malone enters his 12th season leading Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, sporting a 295-335-2 overall record with the Blue & Green.
• The Islanders 30-win season last year serves as Malone's fourth-best overall finish since taking the helm in 2008.
• The team boasts nine seniors: RHP Chad Romere, RHP Chris Glover, OF Nick Anderson, UT Andriud Martinez, INF Enrique Sanchez Jr., OF Thomas Jeffries IV, RHP Tate Gillespie, LHP Dylan Duarte and LHP Cody LeCompte.
• This year's roster is highlighted by 11 newcomers, as senior Dylan Duarte joined the program as a graduate transfer from Alabama, juniors Scott Hastings, Cole Fluta, Tyler Mendoza, Joey Werner and Mike Williams transferred from junior colleges and freshmen Justin Taylor, Mason Hopkins, Hayden Thomas, Dom Lopez and Steven Vejil signed on directly from high school.
• This season's depth chart features 29 players from across the state of Texas and one from each of the following: California, New Jersey, Minnesota, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.
• The Islanders were picked 11th in the Southland Conference Preseason Poll.
• Texas A&M-Corpus Christi returns nine of last season's 13 starters, including seniors Nick Anderson, Andriud Martinez, Enrique Sanchez Jr., Thomas Jeffries IV and Tate Gillespie along with juniors Itchy Burts, Drake Osborn, Luke Marbach and Dustin Lacaze.

Promotions Scheduled | Wednesday, Mar. 13
 

Wednesday, Mar. 13 vs. UMass Chapman Field

Good Samaritan Day "We Can Do Your Laundry" -- First five families to bring their laundry to the Athletics Marketing Team will clean it for them! Islanders Baseball Bingo Night Fans can choose to participate with some Islanders Baseball Bingo for Whataburger Gift Card ($15)!

Following the pair of midweek contests, the Islanders return to Southland action in their first conference home series, hosting Abilene Christian in a three-game set running from Friday, Mar. 15 through Sunday, Mar. 17.

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