ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Mar. 28) – The Central Washington University baseball team hosts Montana State Billings, as the first half of Great Northwest Athletic Conference play closes.
GAME INFORMATION
Friday DH at noon |
Live Stats |
Live Video
Saturday DH at 11 a.m. |
Live Stats |
Game 4 Video
QUOTABLE
"We need to play good baseball for four games," CWU Head Coach
Desi Storey said. "It doesn't matter who steps on the field against us. We need to do the little things right and play to our capabilities. We got back to that last weekend, especially on day two."
SCOUTING MSUB
The Yellowjackets have spent the entire first half of the season on the road, culminating in this weekend's series. In their first 26 road games of the season, the Yellowjackets are 16-10 and 11-5 in GNAC play.
Jalen Garcia leads the 'Jackets offense, hitting at a clip of .354 on the season. Garcia has clubbed 10 doubles, three triples, three homeruns, and driven in 27 runs. He is slugging .615 and has posted an on-base percentage of .385. Kade Hall (.349), Conner Linebarger (.330), Andrew Schleusner (.329), Hayden Humphrey (.323), and Ryan Myers (.319) are all batting above .300. As a team, the 'Jackets are only four points shy at .296.
On the mound, Steen Frederickson continues his dominance on the mound. Frederickson is 5-0 on the season through seven starts. Over 36 innings, the right-hander has compiled 44 strikeouts and a batting average against of .211. He has only allowed 12 runs for an ERA of 2.75.
Adam Cox, meanwhile, has been solid out of the 'Jackets' bullpen. In seven appearances, Cox has an ERA of 0.66, 23 strikeouts, and five saves.
The Yellowjackets as a whole have an ERA of 5.53 with 212 strikeouts.
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats took three of four from Saint Martin's last weekend, scoring 10 or more runs in all three wins.
CWU scored 26 runs on day two, including scoring nine runs in the fifth inning of game four. The Wildcats were firing on all cylinders from the plate as it led all GNAC teams last week with a .346 batting average, 44 hits, 13 doubles and 41 runs scored.
The Wildcats lead the GNAC with 268 hits. Their pitching staff is second in the conference with a 5.45 earned run average and has amassed 156 strikeouts this season. Central Washington has four of the GNAC's top-11 hitters in terms of batting percentage with all four hitting better than .327.
The Wildcats look to gain sole control of second place as they close out a 16-game homestand.
SMITH III CONTINUES DOMINANT SEASON AGAINST SAINTS
What a season it has been for
James Smith III. Earlier this week, Smith III was named the GNAC Baseball Player of the Week for the second time this season after an all-around offensive showing against Saint Martin's last weekend where he went 2 for 4 and had five RBIs in the season-opener on Saturday, which included a two-RBI single to right and a three-run homer. Smith then went 4 for 4 and scored two runs in the nightcap, a 10-4 victory. He then opened Sunday's twin bill by going 3 for 5 with three RBIs and a double in an 11-1 victory.
Smith III leads the GNAC in batting average (.410), hits (43), runs scored (28), RBIs (29), total bases (70) and is ninth in Division II with 13 doubles.
STOREY TIME
Central Washington University skipper
Desi Storey is a game away from reaching a career milestone. Storey is currently sitting at 599 career wins.
