After two Ohio Valley Conference series wins in a row, the Trojans host one of the better teams in the league this weekend. The Trojans (18-22) take on SIUE starting with a 6 p.m., game Friday at Gary Hogan Field. The series continues at 4 p.m., Saturday and 1 p.m., Sunday. All games can be streamed on ESPN+ with Max Coltrane on the call.
The Cougars (17-21) are tied with SEMO for the OVC lead at 10-6. Little Rock is tied for sixth place with a 7-7 mark. However, the Trojans have won five of their past six league games sweeping Morehead State and taking two of three from Western Illinois last weekend.
The Cougars jumped to a 5-1 start in the OVC, which was the best start since 2015. The potent offense has slugged 52 home runs, which is tied for second in the league and No. 59 nationally. Mack Mitchell has 11 of those dingers. Chase Bloomer has 10. Bloomer is also on the Brooks Wallace Award watch list which honors the top 100 shortstops in the nation.
Freshman pitcher Tim Teixiera is 3-2 on the season and gets the nod in Friday's game. Spencer Stearns (3-3) is the probable starter on Saturday and Garrett Halsel (0-4) will start Sunday.
The Cougars' 324 total strikeouts are tied for second in the league. The Cougars are second in the OVC at 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings, which ranks 82nd nationally.
SIUE's hurlers are aided by a solid defense which has committed the fewest errors in the league (38) and boasts a .972 fielding percentage.
The Trojans are 12-3 all-time against the Cougars and are 4-2 since joining the OVC two years ago. However, SIUE has won the past two meetings.
