As Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) baseball team rides a four-game winning streak, they are set to face Xavier University on Tuesday, with the game beginning at 3 p.m. and airing live on FloSports.
The Colonels, with a 19-21 overall record and 9-9 in the ASUN Conference, have reached .500 after a three-game road sweep of North Alabama. Their winning streak began with a victory at Marshall. Over the last eight games, EKU has been averaging an impressive 9.8 runs per game.
During the sweep of North Alabama, EKU batters drew 32 walks and posted a .452 on-base percentage. The team ranks second in the ASUN and 26th in the nation with 222 walks drawn. In contrast, Xavier ranks 27th in the country in fewest walks allowed per nine innings (3.59).
EKU pitcher Michael Schuler has not allowed a run in his last 10 and one-third innings. In a recent start against North Alabama, he limited the Lions to four hits and one walk in five innings, striking out a season-high eight. Rian Yates will be the starting pitcher for the Colonels against Xavier. The junior righty has a 1-1 record and a 7.66 ERA, with 10 appearances and seven starts this season.
Scouting the opponent, Xavier stands at 25-15 overall, 7-2 in the Big East Conference, and is ranked 45th in the NCAA RPI. The Musketeers are fresh off a road sweep of Villanova, outscoring them 31-8. Xavier boasts a .286 team batting average, has hit 68 home runs, and is scoring 7.2 runs per game. The team ranks 25th in the country in home runs.
Jack Niedringhaus, a freshman left-hander, will make his first start of the season for Xavier. He hasn’t allowed an earned run in four relief appearances, spanning four and one-third innings, giving up five hits, no walks, and striking out seven.
The all-time series between EKU and Xavier is tied at 31-31. The Colonels have won three straight games against the Musketeers, with the most recent meeting taking place on April 19, 2022, in Richmond. EKU emerged victorious with a 3-2 win in 11 innings.
