April 14, 2009
USI to play UE in "Battle at the Braun"
Eagles finish week against Missouri S&T
EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- The University of Southern Indiana baseball team goes on the road for the next seven games, starting with the University of Evansville in the "Battle at the Braun" Wednesday at 6 p.m. The USI road swing also includes a four-game GLVC West series at the Missouri University of Science & Technology and non-conference games at Kentucky Wesleyan College and Bellarmine University.
USI enters this week's action with a 28-10 overall record, 15-4 in the GLVC, and 8-4 in the GLVC West Division after winning 10 of its last 12. Despite going eight games over .500 in the last 12 games, the Eagles fell out of Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Top 30 this week.
The Eagle hitter are led this season by senior rightfielder Chad Werry (New Harmony, Indiana), who is batting a career-high .383 with 16 doubles, two triples, and five home runs. Werry ranks second on the squad during the last 12 games with a .413 mark with two home runs and nine RBIs.
The hottest Eagle in the last 12 games is senior centerfielder Chad Bruce (Fountaintown, Indiana), who is batting .423, while junior third baseman/pitcher Tyler Choate (Carmi, Indiana) was USI's top hitter last week with a .417 batting mark.
USI senior third baseman/pitcher Alex Thieroff (Greenfield, Indiana) is the Eagles' top run producer with 43 RBIs and eight home runs. Werry follows Thieroff with 31 RBIs, while Choate is second with seven round-trippers.
On the mound, the Eagles' pitching staff features the NCAA Division II's top closer in senior right-hander Shaun Larsen (Tell City, Indiana). Larsen, who had two saves and one win last week, has USI's top ERA at 2.08 in 21 appearances and 30.1 innings of work.
The staff's top winners are sophomore right-hander Trevor Leach (Danville, Indiana) and Choate. Leach has a 7-0 mark as a starter and reliever and is one victory short of tying the USI single –season record of eight. Choate is one win behind with a 6-2 mark and has the top ERA as a starter at 2.64.
Evansville, who plays Murray State University tonight, starts this week's action with a 14-18 overall mark. The Aces lead the all-time series with the Eagles, 27-18, and has won the three "Battle at the Braun" games.
USI resumes GLVC action in Rolla, Missouri, Saturday and Sunday when it visits Missouri University of Science & Technology. The Miners are 13-24 overall, 7-8 GLVC, and 6-5 in the GLVC West Division.
The Eagles lead the all-time series with the Miners, 9-0, since Missouri S&T joined the conference in 2006.
Ray Simmons, USI Sports Information
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