Carrollton, GA – The University of West Georgia baseball team prepares to take on Shorter University in a Gulf South Conference matchup this weekend at Cole Field. It should be beautiful weekend for baseball as weather is expected to be in the mid-70s, so come out and watch the Wolves Saturday, March 15 with a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 p.m. The final game will be played Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
UWG at a Glance
The Wolves are coming off a tough road loss to Georgia College, but are looking to get back on track at home against the Hawks. West Georgia has also maintained a steady position in the South Region rankings this year. They are currently ranked sixth by D2Baseball.com and seventh according to the NCBWA poll. UWG has a near perfect record at home, winning 12-of-14 games at Cole Field, and will use that home field advantage to try and improve their 4-2 conference record.
Shorter at a Glance
After losing their first nine games of the year, Shorter has gotten into a little groove, winning five straight games. The Hawks first swept Union (Tenn.) in a three-game series, then took down Albany State in two seven inning games this past weekend. They have played solid conference baseball with a 4-2 record. However, the Hawks have struggled on the road in 2013, as they have only won four of twelve games.
Shorter Batters to Watch
As a team, the Hawks are batting.246 on the year, although they are a hitting eight points better in conference play. Outfielder Willie Lewis returned this past weekend against Albany State and is an impact player for Shorter. Lewis, who is hitting .364, is leading the team in batting average although he has only played in 14 of the 20 games this year. Michael Miranda has been the Hawks most dangerous hitter this season with a .408 slugging percentage. Miranda also leads the team with two homeruns and is second in RBI with 10.
UWG Batters to Watch
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Shaquille Jackson# will likely be the leadoff man in this weekend's series. Jackson has also only played in 14 games this year, but is hitting .386 which leads the team. He is a versatile player who is an impact offensively and also can cover a lot of ground in center field. #
TJ Eifert# has been swinging the bat well of late and is hitting .288 on the year. He is leading West Georgia in several offensive statistical category for the Wolves with 19 runs scored, 10 doubles, and 19 RBIs. Eifert and shortstop #
Dylan Coleman# also have the only home runs on the team this season.
Shorter Pitchers to Watch
The Hawks have an excellent starting pitcher in Stuart Charleston who leads the team with a 1.99 ERA and has thrown sixteen more innings than any other starter. He has a 3-2 record on the year with a 27-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Charleston will likely be the starter in either of the nine inning games. Cameron Rich will likely start the other nine inning game for the Hawks. Rick is 0-4 on the year and has a 5.92 ERA but does strikeout an average of seven batters a game. Russell Crosby will perhaps fill into the starting role in the seven inning game this weekend. Crosby is 1-4 on the year with a 6.29 ERA.
UWG Pitchers to Watch
The first pitcher that the Wolves will likely throw this Saturday is #
Chase Riemer#. Riemer has been dominant thus far with 4-1 record and with a 2.52 ERA and opponents are only hitting .221 this year against the righty and he has only surrendered two extra base hits. #
Jamie Sexton# will be called on again to pitch the other nine inning game on Sunday. Sexton also has a 4-1 record on the year and is second in the Gulf South Conference with a 1.29 ERA. Sexton has been remarkable this season with a 41-5 strikeout to walk ratio through 48 innings and thowing three complete games. #
Randall Wright# has been on the hill in the seven inning game the past two weekends and has also pitched well with a 3-1 record and an ERA under four. Teams are only hitting .235 against Wright on the season.
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