NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Belmont baseball team returns to Rose Park for four consecutive games, starting on Tuesday for a non-conference matchup against Toledo at 4 p.m. at Rose Park.
Belmont has won seven consecutive games, coming off a weekend sweep at Morehead State to start OVC play.
"(Getting the sweep) was big," junior Jackson Campbell said. "We're fired up. We're ready for the next weekend and next opponent. We're ready to go."
The Bruins' hot start can be largely credited to their pitching staff, who currently leads the OVC in ERA with a 3.28 mark. They have also posted 148 strikeouts to go with an average of 9.00 strikeouts per nine innings.
Belmont has proven that they are never out of a game when they are trailing this season. In addition to having four walk-off wins, Belmont has outscored its opponents 47-13 when the game has reached the seventh inning or later. They have also driven in 28 runs and collected six home runs when they are down to their last out in an inning.
"You have to play us nine innings. That's our goal," senior Chandler Adkins said. "If you beat us in nine, you beat us. You have to play us all nine and that's what we're doing."
Campbell is currently leading the Bruins with six home runs and 17 RBIs, hitting .474 last week and coming up with his third career multi home run game of his career on March 7 at Morehead State. Junior Logan Jarvis has hit .526 in his last four games, coming up with two doubles, three home runs and nine RBIs.
The Bruins hit .331 as a team last week, hitting 11 of its 20 season home runs over the last four games.
"It matters to win games in conference and getting the opening weekend sweep is a big deal," Adkins said. "It put us in the front and we don't have to battle our way back, not that we have any issues doing that."
Game Notes
Scouting Toledo
After only winning one of its first 11 games, Toledo is coming off a series win at UAB and won the final game in a thrilling extra innings game. The Rockets, however, have power at the plate and are hitting .267 as a team to go with 69 RBIs. Toledo's pitching staff has collected 113 strikeouts and has an ERA of 7.03 to start the year.
Toledo has four players hitting .280 or better, with Darryn Davis leading the way with a .453 mark and four doubles on the season to go with 16 RBIs. John Servello has made heavy contributions to the Toledo offense, hitting .351 on the year. Trey Wright is hitting .306 while Chris meyers has proven he can swing the bat with four home runs and 11 RBIs.
