ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Ouachita Tigers (1-2 GAC, 4-6 Overall) host the University of Arkansas at Monticello (2-1 GAC, 4-6 Overall) at Rab Rodgers Field on Friday and Saturday. After opening week of the Great American Conference this past weekend, the Boll Weevils sit in a three-way tie for fourth place, while the Tigers are in a three-way tie for seventh place.
2019 Season
Monticello finished as the one seed last year and was named GAC Champions for the regular season after a 24-6 regular season (35-15 overall). Although the Boll Weevils were knocked out of the GAC Championship Tournament in the semifinal game by Harding University, they received an automatic bid to the NCAA Central Regional Tournament. After winning their first game against Minnesota State University at Mankato 13-2, they were eliminated from the playoffs after losing back-to-back games to Augustana University 4-9, and Oklahoma Baptist University 15-17.
2019 Matchup
Poor weather conditions pushed Monticello from a home series to travel to Sterlington, Louisiana, to face the Tigers in a three-game series last year. All three games were decided by two runs or less. Ouachita led game one 2-0 until the eighth inning, where Monticello opened up a big inning at the plate for four runs. The Tigers could not answer in the ninth and lost 4-2.
In games two and three, Monticello would hit back-to-back game-winning walk-offs to sweep the Tigers. Brody Threet hit a pinch-hit, walk-off two-run home run for the 3-2 game two win. The Tigers took a two-run lead in the top of the ninth inning of game three, but gave up three runs in the bottom of the inning to drop the final game 7-8. Dylan Borman hit a single to right field with the bases loaded to score Jordan Johnson for the winning run.
Last Weekend
The Boll Weevils met up with the Harding Bisons for opening weekend in the GAC. Monticello took games one and two, 12-4 and 5-1 respectively, but was shutout 0-5 in game three.
The Ouachita Tigers took on Arkansas Tech in Russellville, Arkansas, for a three-game series last weekend. Ouachita salvaged a 7-5 win in game three, but came up short in game one 4-8, and game two 0-2.
Key Pitchers
Right-handed pitcher Matt Lundh started game one for the Boll Weevils, but only pitched two scoreless innings with a walk and a strikeout. Lundh holds the lowest ERA on the team at 0.54 (1 ER in 13.0 IP) and has 18 strikeouts. Livan Cordova (2-1) started game two for Monticello. The right-handed pitcher lasted seven innings, allowing one run on five hits, one walk, and three strikeouts. Mason Philley made the start in game three and earned the loss after two innings of work. He provided Harding with four runs on three hits, three walks, and two strikeouts.
Out of the pin, left-handed pitcher Ojani Chacon (1-0) relieved Lundh and earned the game one win for 4.1 innings of three-run, four-hit baseball. Along with Chacon, Derek Potts and River Hunt have combined for a 2.09 ERA (6 ER in 20.1 IP) and a save in relief.
Potential UAM Lineup
- Cade Thompson (2B)
- Andrew Piraino (C)
- Jordan Johnson (3B)
- Hudson Hopkins (LF)
- David Reyna (RF)
- Audy Clary (SS)
- Grant Shepherd (CF)
- Dylan Borman, Kyle Frame, Reece Reading (DH)
- Aaron Gaela (1B)
Key Hitters
Third-baseman Jordan Johnson is the leading hitter for the Boll Weevils after a weekend of play. Johnson was named Co-Player of the Week for his performance against Harding in week one. He had seven hits in 10 at bats (.700 avg.), including two home runs, a double, four RBI's, a 1.400 slugging percentage, and six runs scored. On the season, he is hitting .343 (12 for 35) with four home runs, 10 runs scored, and 9 RBI's.
Cade Thompson is next in line with a season average at .318 (7 for 22) and is the team leader in doubles with four. He also hit .400 against Harding on four hits, three doubles, four runs, two walks, and three strikeouts.
The third best hitter from the Harding series was Grant Shepherd. Shepherd hit .333 and was 4 for 12 with one run, two RBI's, and a strikeout.
The remaining five batters who started all three games in the series, and their stats from last weekend, are below:
- Hudson Hopkins – .250 avg., 2 for 8, two runs, five RBI's, a homerun, and three walks.
- David Reyna – .182 avg., 2 for 11, one run, a walk, and a strikeout.
- Andrew Piraino – .182 avg., 2 for 11, two runs, a double, three RBI's, and four strikeouts.
- Audy Clary – .091 avg., 1 for 11, one RBI, one walk, and six strikeouts.
- Aaron Gaela – .000 avg., 0 for 8, one RBI, and three strikeouts.
The Ouachita Tigers will take on the Monticello Boll Weevils in game one on Friday at 2:00 p.m. and in a double-header on Saturday beginning at 12:00 p.m.
