DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS: After a midweek home game against the University of British Columbia, Seattle University heads back to Texas for its third and final weekend series within the Central time zone. The Redhawks will take on preseason conference favorite Dallas Baptist, the third time in the last four years that the Patriots have appeared on Seattle U’s schedule for a three-game series. This will also be the fourth consecutive weekend that Seattle U has faced a team from either Louisiana or Texas, a stretch that will conclude next weekend when UT Arlington comes to town.
LAST WEEK: Seattle University struggled in all facets of the game over the past week, dropping four straight home games. Tuesday, the Redhawks gave up 20 hits, 19 of them singles, while collecting only two hits of their own as the Washington Huskies cruised to a 14-1 victory. Landon Cray was the Seattle U offense, earning both hits, including a solo home run in the sixth inning, his second long ball in as many games. Wednesday afternoon, Portland jumped on the board with six runs in the second inning and four more runs in the third inning on its way to a 13-6 victory. Zach Aaker went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in the third inning and a two-run double in the sixth inning. UTSA came into town for a scheduled three-game series in which rain played a factor throughout. Friday’s game was close until the Roadrunners scored three runs in the eighth inning and two runs in the ninth inning for an 8-1 victory. Nate Roberts went 2-for-3 with a double and a run batted in. Saturday’s game seemed destined for a similar score, but home runs by Sean Narby and Grant Newton in the ninth inning closed the final UTSA margin of victory to 8-4.
SCOUTING BRITISH COLUMBIA: The Thunderbirds come into Tuesday’s game with an 18-10 overall record. UBC has won 11 of its last 13 games, but this will be the first game the Thunderbirds have played in the month of April. As a team, British Columbia has compiled a .317 batting average, a .969 fielding percentage, and a 3.93 earned run average. Andrew Firth leads the Thunderbirds at the plate with a .414 batting average, collecting 48 hits, including five doubles and a triple, 26 runs scored, and 28 runs batted in. Tyson Popoff is batting .409, while Greg Densem is hitting .352 with 23 runs batted in. Mike Hole leads the team with eight doubles and three home runs. On the mound, Alex Graham leads the team with a 1.93 earned run average and 26 strikeouts, and Bryan Pawlina is 5-0 with a 1.97 ERA. Out of the bullpen, Miles Verweel is 3-2 with a 2.42 ERA and three saves.
SERIES HISTORY: This will be the third game between Seattle U and British Columbia since the Redhawks reestablished the baseball program in 2010. On April 6, 2010, British Columbia scored twice in the fourth inning and held on for a 2-1 victory. Nate Roberts led the Redhawks with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate. Last season, in another close game, British Columbia scored three runs in the eighth inning, two of them off a triple by Mike Hole, to take a 4-2 lead, but Riley Tompkins hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth to give the Redhawks a 5-4 victory. Brian Olson went 3-for-3, including a home run in the second inning, to lead the Redhawks.
WEATHER FORECAST: Tuesday, the forecast calls for more clouds than sun with temperatures in the 50s. Mostly sunny skies are being called for throughout the weekend in Dallas. Thursday’s temperatures will be in the 60s, but warmer days are predicted for Friday and Saturday, with temperatures in the 70s.
SCOUTING DALLAS BAPTIST: The Patriots enter the week with a 17-15 overall record, including a 5-4 record within the Western Athletic Conference after losing two of three to New Mexico State last weekend. As a team, Dallas Baptist has compiled a .292 batting average, a .959 fielding percentage, and a 5.19 earned run average. Nash Knight leads the team with a .330 batting average, while Duncan McAlpine is batting .327 with 34 hits, including seven doubles, one triple, and 11 home runs, 27 runs scored, and 32 runs batted in. Boomer Collins has collected 11 doubles, two triples, five home runs, and 28 runs batted in. On the mound, Jake Johansen is 4-3 with a 4.37 ERA and 41 strikeouts. Out of the bullpen, Paul Voelker has made 14 appearances, going 0-1 with a 4.05 ERA and three saves.
SERIES HISTORY: Seattle University and Dallas Baptist have played two three-game series previously. Dallas Baptist came to the Pacific Northwest April 22-24, 2010, and took two of three games. Seattle U won the first game, 7-5, thanks in part to a four-run sixth inning. Dallas Baptist closed its deficit with a four-run eighth inning, but Arlo Evasick came on to stop the Patriot rally and earn the save. Dallas Baptist won the next two games, 13-2 and 6-2. On April 21-23, 2011, in Dallas, the Patriots won the first two games, 10-6 and 15-14. In the series finale, Seattle U scored three times in the sixth and four runs in the seventh on the way to a 13-6 victory. Cullen Hendrickson hit a three-run home run as part of a five-RBI day.