NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont baseball prepares to host University of Illinois Chicago in an important three-game Missouri Valley Conference series as the Bruins continue conference play this season.
What's Bruin
Belmont enters the weekend 8-17 overall and 0-3 in MVC play, looking to respond after a challenging conference-opening series. The Bruins have shown offensive flashes throughout the first half of the season, totaling 205 hits, 36 doubles, eight triples, and 20 home runs while batting .256 as a team.
Brady Holbrook continues to lead Belmont offensively entering the series, batting .386 through 17 appearances. The first baseman has recorded 17 hits, two home runs, seven RBIs, and a .449 on-base percentage while also remaining perfect defensively with a 1.000 fielding percentage. Charlie Davis has been one of Belmont's most productive all-around players, starting all 25 games while batting .311 with 33 hits, 20 runs scored, six doubles, four triples, and two home runs. His speed on the bases and defensive consistency continue to make him a key piece at the top of the lineup. Landon Godsey also enters the weekend hitting .311 and leads the Bruins with 21 RBIs. Godsey has collected 10 doubles and three home runs while posting a .522 slugging percentage, providing consistent run production in the middle of the order. Cavan McMeans has added power from the infield, batting .272 with four home runs and 18 RBIs. Defensively, McMeans has committed just one error in 91 chances for a .989 fielding percentage. Jake Maddox has continued to anchor Belmont behind the plate, batting .269 with 21 hits while helping manage the Bruins' pitching staff. Mike Sprockett adds additional power with four home runs and 10 RBIs, while JD Whitworth has contributed steady plate discipline with 12 walks and a .360 on-base percentage.
On the mound, Belmont will look to McKale Stevenson as one of its most reliable arms entering the weekend. Stevenson carries a 3.10 ERA with two wins in nine appearances, striking out 19 batters across 20.1 innings. Owen Cavey has taken on a major role in the starting rotation, making five starts and throwing 19.2 innings with 16 strikeouts. Tate Marland leads Belmont starters in innings pitched with 24.2 while adding 21 strikeouts. Andrew Perry remains a strong strikeout option after recording 13 strikeouts in 12.1 innings, while Ridge Harvey has emerged as a late-inning option with three saves and 16 strikeouts in relief.
About the Flames
- UIC is currently 6-15-1 (2-1, MVC) and their last outing being at Purdue resulting in a 18-13, loss for the flames.
- The Flames are led offensively by Jake Busson who is batting .305 in 21 games. Next is Curry Thomas who is batting a .269 in 21 games. Two key offensive factors in the Flames batting lineup.
- On the mound, Lei Mason currently holds a 2-2 record on the season and the lowest ERA (4.18) and 3rd lowest WHIP (1.18).
Series History
- The series record is currently sitting at 1-9 with UIC having the eight game advantage of Belmont.
- The last meeting was a 12-7 UIC win in Chicago at Granderson Stadium.
- Charlie Davis and Landon Godsey both homered in that game to contribute to the scoring for Belmont.
Series Game Times
Friday March 27, 1:00 PM
Saturday March 28, 2:00 PM
Sunday March 29, 1:00 PM
Up Next
Belmont will travel across town to face Vanderbilt for a midweek game on Tuesday afternoon at 6:00 PM from Hawkins Field.
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#ItsBruinTime
