COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- The first three-game series of the 2011 Golden Eagle baseball season kicks off with a visit from the Eagles of Eastern Michigan this coming Friday through Sunday in Bush Stadium. The first pitch of game one is scheduled to be thrown at 3 p.m. on Friday.
This weekend’s series will mark the first between the two opponents, as they have only ever matched up twice before and have logged a split record of 1-1.
Eastern Michigan, which will play its first 15 games of the season on the road, heads into the series with a 1-3 record on the year, having gone 1-2 against no. 4 ranked Clemson in their season opening series, and shouldering a 5-2 loss to Kentucky.
EMU will throw senior southpaw Rob Wendzicki in Friday’s game, who has made one start already this season and faced 17 batters in 4.2 innings of work, striking out four. He’s allowed two earned runs on four hits to sit with a 3.86 ERA headed into the weekend.
A utility player for the Eagles, Wendzicki also flashes the leather at first base and fills the role at the DH position. He currently has a batting average of .231 (3-13) on the season and has recorded three RBI’s on offense.
The Golden Eagles will look to sophomore righty Tristan Archer to start off on the hill on Friday. Archer made one start against Coastal Carolina this season, working the Chanticleers for six innings, striking out four.
Saturday’s contest, originally scheduled for 2 p.m., has been moved up an hour to a 1 p.m. start time. The Golden Eagles will throw junior righty Matt Shepherd, who has a 3.86 ERA and seven strikeouts with one start in two appearances this season. EMU will call on sophomore RHP Steve Weber (0-1, 7.20 ERA).
On Sunday, sophomore Nick Price will toss out the first pitch for Tech at 1 p.m. Price made one start against Boston College in CCU’s Caravelle Resort Tournament, facing 17 batters in 4.2 innings and allowing two earned runs on four hits for an ERA of 3.86 as well.
Fans who can’t make it to the Averitt Express Complex for this weekend’s series can follow the Live Stats here.
