LITTLE ROCK - Little Rock will host the Warhawks of ULM for a three game series before a long stretch road games to close out the month of April. The series begins on Friday with first pitch now being thrown at 2 p.m. to try and beat the forecasted inclement weather. The series will continue on to Saturday for game two at 2 p.m. and then finish off Sunday at 1 p.m.
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Due to possible inclement weather this weekend in central Arkansas, Trojan baseball fans are encouraged to follow @LittleRockBSB on Twitter for weather-related updates to this weekend's series. Announcements will also be made at LRTrojans.com.
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Strong Starts on the Mound:
Little Rock starting pitching will look to continue their dominance on the mound in the month of April. In the four games played, there has only been two runs allowed by the starters in over 20 innings pitched
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Friday will see its normal game one starter in
Chandler Fidel who has producing deep into games for Little Rock. Fidel has only given up four earned-runs in his last four starts while lasting six innings or longer in each of those games. He is also averaging just over seven strikeouts per game in that stretch including a career high 10 strikeouts in his last outing.
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Pablo Ortiz has earned his way into the game two starter with this game being the third in a row. He is boasting the team's lowest ERA at 1.89 in the 19.0 innings he has thrown on the year.
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On Sunday the Trojans are scheduled to see the freshman
Aaron Funk on the mound. Funk is coming off two strong starting performances against ranked opponents.
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His best game of the year was a win against No. 22 Louisiana Tech where he threw seven innings holding the Bulldogs to only one run off one hit. He then threw a quick two innings against No. 11 ranked Oklahoma on Tuesday allowing no runs across and striking out two before handing the ball off to the bullpen.
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Scouting ULM:
The Warhawks are just behind the Trojans in the conference standings as they sit at an even 6-6. Overall ULM is 17-15 where they were red-hot to start the year going 9-2 in their first 11 games, but falling off slightly, going 3-7 in their last 10.
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Against conference opponents the Warhawks have struggled at the plate hitting just .209 as a team which ranks second to last just ahead of Appalachian State.
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They were able to get series wins against Arkansas State, who sit last in the Sun Belt Western division and just recently against Texas State. They dropped their conference opener to a tough South Alabama and also lost 1-2 in the series against UT Arlington.
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Series Against ULM:
Little Rock and ULM have traded off series win the last couple of years each winning on their home fields. Overall the Trojans are behind in the series 30-47 and 4-5 under
Chris Curry's healm. Little Rock did sweep the series back in 2013, but then turned around and was swept the next season by the Warhawks. The Trojans did have great success against the Warhawks in the early 2010's taking seven games in a row.
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Promotions:
Join the Trojans on Saturday for "Cover Your Bases" to shed light on the fight against skin cancer and the things you can do to help prevent it.
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On Sunday, Little Rock invites all youth league teams that wear their uniforms to come to the game for free to watch the Trojans.
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Long Days Away:
Little Rock will not see a game at
Gary Hogan Field again until May 4th for a series against South Alabama. Until then, the Trojans will have an eight-game road trip starting in Natchitoches, Louisiana for a midweek game against Northwestern State on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
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#LittleRocksTeam
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