Feb. 17, 2005
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Internet: Live stats will be available on NUsports.com
EVANSTON, Ill. - After a soggy couple of days of baseball last weekend that caused the cancelation of three games in Phoenix, the Northwestern baseball team is anxious to get back on the field.
"These players are pretty tired of hitting and throwing inside," said head coach Paul Stevens. "It was nice to get outside in Phoenix, but we were hoping to play four games instead of just the one."
Even though NU only played a single game in the rain-infested state of Arizona last weekend, the Wildcats made the most of their opportunity.
"I was extremely pleased with the way we came out and competed in a tough first-game situation," said Stevens about the 4-2 season-opening win against Kansas State. "We need to build on that enthusiasm on this weekend's trip and keep taking the correct steps forward this early in the season."
The Wildcats will take that energy to the Lone Star state, playing three games in three days at the UTA Invitational in Arlington, Texas. NU will take on host, Texas-Arlington, at 3:30 p.m. (CST) Friday afternoon and Arkansas State at 11:30 a.m. (CST) Saturday. NU rounds out the weekend with a rematch vs. Kansas State at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
Scouting the Opponents:
Texas-Arlington--UTA is 3-4 with wins over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (5-4), Texas State (3-0) and then No. 8 Baylor (9-6). They have a .222 team batting average, led by Cary Nelson's .375 batting average. Nelson is 6-for-16 in five starts. The Maverick pitching staff is as good as it gets, boasting a 2.77 team ERA. In 65.0 innings pitched, UTA hurlers have given up 20 earned runs (25 total) and struck out 49. Right-hander Jake Baxter leads the way with a 0.75 ERA in two starts (12 innings), striking out 11.
Arkansas State--The Indians enter the weekend with a 3-1 record after sweeping Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a three-game series and falling to then No. 15 Ole Miss. ASU outscored Arkansas-Pine Bluff 42-7 in the series and are hitting an outstanding .360 as a team. Three different ASU players have tallied six RBI, while five different Indians are hitting over .350. Sophomore Hudson Smart leads the team with a .467 (7-for-15) batting average. On the mound, ASU has a 4.36 team ERA. Nine different pitchers have already stepped to the rubber, with Tyler Goodwin making two starts.
Kansas State--After opening the season against Northwestern, the Wildcats of KSU dropped its only other contest to the University of Portland, 7-3. KSU is hitting .254 as a team and are led by Terry Blunt's .429 average. Blunt went 1-for-3 with a walk against Northwestern and 2-for-4 with a walk and run scored against Portland. Former Illinois shortstop Eric Eymann is hitting .375 in two starts. Kansas State has a 5.62 ERA and has used seven pitchers this season.
Northwestern Schedule
Feb. 18 at 3:30 p.m. at Texas-Arlington (3-4, 0-0 Southland)
Feb. 19 at 11:30 a.m. vs. Arkansas State (3-1, 0-0 Sun Belt)
Feb. 20 at 11:30 a.m. vs. Kansas State (0-2, 0-0 Big XII)
NU Paul Stevens 449-484-5 (18th season)
UTA Jeff Curtis 101-84 (fourth season)
ASU Keith Kessinger 56-60 (third season)
KSU Brad Hill 26-32 (second season)