NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont baseball returns home after a five-game road stint to host conference foe Murray State April 28-30 at E.S. Rose Park. The series will kick off on Friday, April 28 at 5 p.m.
ABOUT THE BRUINS
Belmont returns home for a three-game series against conference opponent, Murray State. The Bruins boast a 20-19 overall record while putting up a 13-8 mark in OVC that has them sitting at third. They recently claimed the Battle of the Boulevard with a 9-7 victory over Lipscomb on Tuesday.
The Bruins offense has been headed by the veteran of designated hitter Nick Egli (Brentwood, Tenn.) and junior second baseman Rafael Bournigal (Mulberry, Fla.) throughout the second half of the season. Egli leads the squad in eight statistical categories - including ranking in the top-four in the nation in slugging percentage (second), on base percentage (third) and batting average (fourth). The veteran has reached base in each of Belmont's last 23 contests while collecting a hit in 10 consecutive games. Bournigal sits right behind Egli, producing a .342 batting average on 41 hits and 17 RBIs. Belmont sits atop the league with 50 stolen bases as senior Tyler Walsh (Evansville, Ind.) leads the charge, having robbed 14 bases in his 17 attempts. Collectively, the team has registered 342 hits, 226 runs and 202 RBIs.
Belmont's weekend pitching staff has also been stellar on the mound this season with two of the three ranking in the top-2 in strike outs. Sophomore Dylan King (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) leads the league with 77 and junior Tyler Vaughn(Jonesboro, Ill.) right behind him with 70 Ks in ten starts this season. The trio - including Connor Etheridge (Springfield, Ill.)- has tossed 200 of the squad's combined 339 strike outs in 2017. The Bruins have also seen extensive production from their bullpen with 11 different pitchers taking the hill for Belmont. Sophomore Kyle Klotz (Fairview, Tenn.) leads the OVC with 29 appearances, tossing 38.2 innings and earning a record of 2-3 on the mound. Senior closer Dom Veltri (Clarksville, Tenn.) has earned all seven of Belmont's saves this season - ranking second in the league.
CLUTCH IN CONFERENCE
The Bruins have found success in OVC action all season long, sitting third in the league with a record of 13-8. They have only lost two of their seven conference series, those defeats coming from Austin Peay and Morehead State - dropping both 2-1. The squad registered its first series sweep against SIUE.
NINE IS ENOUGH
Belmont has yet to play a game that has gone into extra innings, each of their first 39 games have been decided in the allotted nine innings. This is the first time since joining the NCAA the Bruins haven't had an extended contest through their first 40 matchups. The fewest extra-inning games BU has played was one in 2010 vs Eastern Illinois (2.28), while their longest game went to 15 frames vs Stetson in the Atlantic Sun tournament in 2012 (5.23).
ZERO TO SIXTY
It takes little time for senior infielder Tyler Walsh to turn on the speed as he's displayed on multiple occasions this year. He's robbed three bags in an outing during two contests this season. The speedster boasts a 14-for-17 record when attempting to steal. In his third stolen base at Lipscomb (4.25), Walsh carved his name atop the Belmont baseball record book having hijacked 60 bases in his career - the most any Bruin has compiled since becoming a NCAA institution. He passed Matt Reynolds (2004-07) who previous own the title with 59.
MR. 900
Head Coach Dave Jarvis clinched his 900th career victory after edging Jacksonville State 3-2 on Saturday, April 22. He reached the milestone in his 29th year at the helm of a baseball program - compiling the record at Three Rivers CC and Belmont.
EGLI STANDS WITH THE BEST
Nick Egli hasn't only been effective in the Ohio Valley Conference, but he's also making his mark in the nation ranking in the top-four in three different statistical categories. He sits second in slugging percentage (.850), third in on base percentage (.519) and fourth in batting average (.417). The senior is also on a 10-game hitting streak that dates back to the series finale at Austin Peay (4.9) - he's reached base in each of Belmont's last 23 contests. The last time Egli hasn't made it aboard is on March 17 against Morehead State.
SAVING THE DAY
Senior reliever Dom Veltri has recorded all seven of the Bruins saves on the hill this season. Seven saves in the most he's garnered in a single season during his four-year career. He's been their go-to hurler in the final innings of closely contested games, throwing 23.1 innings in 18 appearances. The Clarksville, Tenn. native has struck out 18 batters while compiling an ERA of 2.70.
FAMILY FIELD DAY
Join USAC and the Belmont community at this year's Family Field Day to cheer the Belmont baseball and softball teams on. The event takes place at E.S. Rose Park on Saturday, April 29. Lunch will be provided for all families who RSVP Here. Check in at the USAC table for your lunch tickets and to hear about exciting opportunities for you kids during the game.
