NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont baseball heads back on the road this weekend for an important Missouri Valley Conference series at Murray State, looking to build momentum as league play begins to take shape.
The Bruins enter the weekend at 10-19 overall and 2-4 in MVC action, coming off a competitive stretch that has seen continued offensive production and flashes of strong bullpen performances.
HITTING
Belmont's offense has been a bright spot through the first half of the season, hitting .255 as a team with 238 total hits and 22 home runs. Freshman standout Brady Holbrook continues to lead the charge, batting an impressive .367 with 22 hits and a .415 on-base percentage. Holbrook has been a consistent presence in the middle of the lineup and a key table-setter for the Bruins. Charlie Davis has also been a major contributor, hitting .339 with a team-high 41 hits, 25 runs scored, and 21 RBIs. His ability to drive gaps (10 doubles, 4 triples) adds another dimension to Belmont's offense.
Power production has come from multiple spots in the lineup with Cavan McMeans: 4 HR, 20 RBI, Mike Sprockett: 4 HR, and Landon Godsey: 11 doubles, 21 RBI. As a team, Belmont has shown the ability to string together quality at-bats, but will look to improve situational hitting with runners on base after leaving 196 runners stranded this season.
PITCHING
On the mound, Belmont carries a 6.45 team ERA and will look for more consistency from its weekend rotation.
Friday starter Tate Marland has been a workhorse for the Bruins, leading the team with 32.0 innings pitched and posting a 3-1 record across seven starts. His ability to go deep into games will be critical in a conference series setting.
McKale Stevenson has been one of the most effective arms out of the bullpen and in spot starts, recording a 2.73 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 26.1 innings.
Belmont's bullpen has shown flashes of great strength Zane Brown: 2 saves, opponents hitting just .211 and Ridge Harvey, who has also emerged as a starter on Sundays' for the Bruins has 3 saves in late-game situations and is still looking for his first win.
The Bruins will look to limit free passes (112 walks issued) and keep the ball in the yard after allowing 32 home runs this season.
ABOUT THE RACERS
Murray has recently renovated their entire ballpark and will play in it for the first time against the Bruins
- The Racers are currently 19-10 on the season and 6-0 in the MVC.
- Their last series was a 3-0 sweep against Bradley and they out scored Bradley 43-13.
- Murray State is led offensively by Luke Mistone (.336 AVG, .424 SLG%, and .388 OB%)
- On the Mound, they will look to Nic Schutte (4.76 ERA & .257 AVG)
SERIES HISTORY
- Belmont currently holds the advantage 11-8.
- The last meeting was in the MVC tournament in Normal, Ill. last season where Murray St. bested Belmont 15-14.
Up Next
Belmont will travel to Bowling Green, Ky to play their second game against Western Kentucky on Tuesday evening.
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