SIUE (14-8) at
Saint Louis (12-9)
March 28, 4 p.m.
St. Louis, Missouri
RECENTLY: The Cougars dropped a weekend series to Southeast Missouri to begin 1-2 in Ohio Valley Conference play.
HOT START: SIUE began the year 10-2. It is the best start through 12 games since the 1990 team also started 9-2.
WEEKEND WINNERS: The Cougars won four of their five nonconference weekend series, taking two of three from Incarnate Word and Louisiana-Monroe on the road, and UIC while sweeping Western Illinois at home.
WALK-OFF WINNER: SIUE opened the home season Feb. 21 with a 6-5 win over Illinois State in 10 innings.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Senior designated hitter Brady Bunten earned OVC Player of the Week honors March 20. It was his first award this year, and the third of his career. Starter Jake Bockenstedt has won Pitcher of the Week three times, marking the most for an SIUE player in a single season.
PRESEASON ALL-OVC: Bunten, outfielder Brennan Orf and third basemen Josh Ohl each were named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference preseason team.
LEAGUE LEADERS: SIUE hitters are seventh in the league with a .247 batting average but lead the league in doubles with 45. SIUE pitchers are third in the OVC in earned run average at 5.40 and are second in total strikeouts with 185. The Cougars also hold the highest fielding percentage in the league at .980, good for No. 24 in the NCAA.
Additionally, Bunten leads the OVC and is No. 3 in the NCAA with 13 doubles. SIUE closer Zeus Ponder leads the league and is No. 15 nationally with five saves this season.
