DALLAS – With the start of Southland Conference play a week away, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi baseball team will finish its final preparations by running the gauntlet with one of their toughest stretches of the season.
First will be a trip to Dallas and a three-game series against perennial power Dallas Baptist. The 13
th-ranked Patriots have established themselves as one of the nation's premier programs since entering Division I in 2004, having made the NCAA Tournament 12 times in that span with a 23-26 record and a pair of super regional appearances.
DBU is 13-3 this season after a 9-6 loss to No. 9 TCU on Tuesday. The Patriots' only other losses came against No. 19 Indiana (9-7) and San Diego (8-4). So far this season, DBU has wins over Oklahoma (11-7), Oklahoma State (14-4), No. 15 Alabama (7-5, 12 inn.) and Baylor (8-5).
The Patriots' 13-3 record is their second-best start through 16 games in DBU's Division I era. Only the 2015 team, which won 18 of its first 20 games and won three games in the NCAA Tournament, has had a better start.
"DBU is one of the most respected programs in the nation," A&M-Corpus Christi coach
Scott Malone said. "These guys win and win at a high level."
DBU entered the week ranked in the top 20 in all four major polls: No. 13 Perfect Game, No. 18 NCBWA, No. 19 D1Baseball, and No. 20 Baseball America. A big chunk of that recognition is thanks to an offense that is in the top 25 in the country in four different categories: No. 13 in home runs (33) and home runs per game (2.06), No. 21 in hits (182), and No. 23 in slugging percentage (.563).
It'll be up to and Islanders pitching staff that seems to have found its groove to keep pace with the powerful Patriots.
The Islanders have won seven of their past 10 games, thanks mainly to a pair of middle-order sluggers and a pitching staff that has a combined 2.37 ERA over that span with 82 strikeouts in 91 innings while holding teams to a .200 batting average.
"I like the way we are playing," Malone said. "Our pitching has been on a great roll. It will be a great challenge for them to try and hold down this DBU offense. Our guys will have to perform at a high level this weekend."
Offensively, the Islanders have been led by Southland Conference Hitter of the Week
Sebastian Trinidad and
Garrett Gruell. Trinidad has been at the center of most every rally that Islanders have had this month, hitting .457 over the past 10 games with 11 RBIs, three doubles, two triples, a .629 slugging percentage and a silly .600 on-base percentage.
Gruell has done his part as well, hitting .350 over the past 10 games with two triples, a double and a team-leading eight runs scored.
Drake Kerr and Issac Webb each have hit .308 and combined for 11 runs scored.
Defensively, the Islanders have been outstanding. A&M-Corpus Christi turned four double plays Wednesday in a 14-1 shellacking of Houston-Victoria, giving them 11 over the past 10 games and 21 for the season. The Islanders are third nationally in double plays, and they're 18
th nationally in double plays per game (1.05).
TAMUCC (10-10, 0-0 SLC)
Friday, March 15 – vs. No. 13 Dallas Baptist (13-3), 6:30 p.m., Horner Ballpark, Dallas
Saturday, March 16 – vs. No. 13 Dallas Baptist (13-3), 2 p.m., Horner Ballpark, Dallas
Sunday, March 17 – vs. No. 13 Dallas Baptist (13-3), 1 p.m., Horner Ballpark, Dallas
PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday
TAMCC – RHP
Matthew Watson (1-1 W-L, 3.68 ERA, 22.0 IP, 6 BB, 33 K)
vs.
DBU – RHP Ryan Johnson (2-0 W-L, 2.77 ERA, 26.0 IP, 3 BB, 42 K)
Saturday
TAMCC – RHP
Riely Hunsaker (2-1 W-L, 2.63 ERA, 24.0 IP, 9 BB, 17 K)
vs.
DBU – RHP Jaron DeBerry (1-0 W-L, 4.43 ERA, 20.1 IP, 7 BB, 21 K)
Sunday
TAMCC – LHP
Zach Garcia (1-0 W-L, 1.93 ERA, 23.1 IP, 8 BB, 21 K)
vs.
DBU – RHP Luke Pettitte (1-0 W-L, 3.18 ERA, 11.1 IP, 3 BB 12 K)
Scouting the Patriots: Leftfielder Ethan Mann has reached base safely in his 34 consecutive games, a streak that dates back to May 5, 2023, versus Middle Tennessee. … On the mound, the Patriots rank 22
nd nationally in strikeouts per nine innings (11.0). DBU ace Ryan Johnson's 42 strikeouts are third-most in the country. … DBU has the nation's No. 8 fielding percentage (.986). Shortstop Luke Heefner and third baseman Chayton Krauss have not committed an error in 128 chances. … Catcher Grant Jay cracked the top 10 for most home runs in the Patriots' Division I era with his 30
th career home run last Sunday. Jay's nine home runs are currently fourth-most in the nation. … DBU leads Conference USA in stolen bases (30). The Patriots have successfully stolen 30-of-33 bases this year. Heefner and rightfielder Alex Pendergast lead DBU with six stolen bases apiece. … The Patriots have won all three of their series in 2024 and have yet to lose a game on Friday and Sunday. … The baseball team is the only DBU program to play at the Division I level. All other DBU programs compete in Division II's Lone Star Conference. … In 20 seasons at the Division I level, 20 Patriots have received all-America recognition. … Since the program's inception in 1970, 18 players have gone on to play in Major League Baseball. … Under current coach Dan Heefner, 52 Patriots have been drafted over 16 years.
Series History: The Patriots lead the all-time series 10-6. The teams haven't met since 2013, however, when the Islanders swept a three-game series at home.
On Deck: After the series against DBU, the Islanders will return home for a two-game, midweek series against Northwestern of the Big Ten. The teams will play Tuesday and Wednesday, March 19-20 at 6 p.m. both nights.
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