Baseball Prepares For Weekend Series Against East Tennessee State

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont baseball return to E.S. Rose Park this weekend to host East Tennessee in a three-game non-conference series, as the Bruins look to build momentum and sharpen their game heading into the next stretch of Missouri Valley Conference play.

Belmont enters the weekend at 12-21 overall and 4-5 in MVC action, coming off a competitive run through conference opponents. With the second half of league play approaching, this weekend presents a valuable opportunity for the Bruins to regroup at home and continue trending upward.
 

The Bruins' offense has steadily found its rhythm in recent weeks, highlighted by consistent production throughout the lineup.

• Freshman standout Brady Holbrook has been one of the most reliable bats in the order, leading the team with a .377 average while collecting 29 hits and 13 RBIs. His ability to consistently get on base (.422 OBP) has made him a tone-setter at the top of the lineup.
• Charlie Davis has been a driving force offensively, hitting .353 with a team-high 48 hits, 29 runs scored, and 25 RBIs. Davis also leads the team in extra-base production with 11 doubles and four triples, pairing speed with power to create scoring opportunities in multiple ways.
• In the middle of the order, Cavan McMeans and Landon Godsey have anchored Belmont's run production. McMeans leads the team with 27 RBIs and boasts a .560 slugging percentage, while Godsey has matched the team lead with six home runs and added 26 RBIs of his own. Together, the duo has provided consistency in key situations.
• Behind them, Jake Maddox and Mike Sprockett have added depth to the lineup. Maddox has driven in 18 runs while handling a heavy defensive workload, and Sprockett has contributed four home runs and 13 RBIs while serving as a steady presence behind the plate.

As a team, Belmont is hitting .262 with 30 home runs and 161 RBIs, showing the ability to generate offense both through power and timely hitting.

On the mound, Belmont continues to search for consistency but has seen strong individual performances emerge.

• McKale Stevenson has been the Bruins' most effective arm, posting a 2.43 ERA with 34 strikeouts across 33.1 innings. His ability to limit hard contact and pitch efficiently makes him a key piece of the weekend rotation.
• Tate Marland has carried the bulk of the innings load, leading the team with 35.1 innings pitched while collecting three wins. His experience and durability will be important in a multi-game series.
• Sam Heyman is expected to play a role as well, recording 17 strikeouts in 18.1 innings. His ability to generate swings and misses gives Belmont another option to disrupt opposing lineups.
• Out of the bullpen, arms like Zane Brown, Brooks McDonnough, and Ridge Harvey will be critical in bridging innings and closing out games. Brown has shown flashes with a 5.32 ERA and multiple late-game appearances, while McDonnough has added depth with 14 appearances on the year.

As a staff, the Bruins will focus on limiting free passes and staying ahead in counts after issuing 132 walks this season.

About the Bucs

• East Tennessee State is currently sitting at 21-9 on the season and 6-3 in SOCON play.
• The Bucs are currently a staggering 16-2 at home.
• They are led offensively by Henry Ferguson who is batting .385 in 109 at-bats and Tristan Curless who is batting .363 in 113 at-bats. 
• On the mound, they will look to either Michael Harpster or Tadan Bell to start on Friday. Harpster has a 4-1 record and a 3.24 ERA, while Bell has 3-2 record and 4.14 ERA.

Series History

• The Bruins currently holds the series advantage 5-1 with the last meeting being back in 2012. 
• In that 2012, game the Bruins won 4-3 in Johnson City then went on to win the series 2-1.
• The Bruins are looking to extend that Series record this weekend.

Up Next

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