GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNCG baseball hits the road for the first time in two weeks as the Spartans head to Cullowhee for a weekend series with the Western Carolina Catamounts. The Spartans and Catamounts are scheduled to play a three-game series, Friday Saturday and Sunday at 4, 4 and 1 p.m., respectively. UNCG enters having won five of its last six games and are 21-7 and 2-1 in the Southern Conference. Western Carolina enters at 3-24 and 1-5 in SoCon play. Friday's game was originally scheduled to be played at 5, but due to incoming weather, the game time has been moved up.
UNCG owns a light edge in the all-time series, 34-32. Last season, the Spartans took two of three games to open the SoCon schedule in Greensboro. The last trip to Cullowhee saw the Catamounts take the series with UNCG salvaging the Sunday contest.
There will be live stats for all three games this weekend. There will be a video stream on Friday and Sunday. Friday will feature a stream on the SoCon Digital Network, with Sunday's game being streamed on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN. Links for these services are located on the UNCG baseball schedule page.
Last time out, UNCG grinded out a 2-0 victory over the Charlotte 49ers at home Tuesday night. UNCG's Zach Kuchmaner drove in the first run of the game and scored the second in the third inning as the Spartan pitching staff locked down a talented Charlotte lineup. The Spartans swept their last weekend series, taking all three games from the visiting Georgetown Hoyas. UNCG opened SoCon play by taking two of three games from the VMI Keydets in Greensboro.
The Spartan offense is second in the nation, hitting at a .326 team average. Cesar Trejo and Andrew Moritz lead the charge as both are hitting over .415 on the season. Trejo is second in the conference with a .425 average. He leads the Spartans with 11 doubles, four triples, 31 RBI and 14 stolen bases. Moritz is hitting .415 on the season with seven doubles, three triples and three home runs while driving in 27 runs. Dillon Stewart hits at a .368 average with a team-high seven home runs. He's driven in 25 runs, scored a team-high 29 runs and stole nine bases.
The first two days of the UNCG weekend rotation features a familiar pair. Matt Frisbee is scheduled to toss the opener. Frisbee has earned the win in his last five starts, earning a 2.11 ERA in 42.2 innings of work. He leads the team with 54 strikeouts and holds opponents to a .219 average against. Hensley is scheduled to get the start Saturday. Hensley has started seven games, tossing 37.0 innings with 42 strikeouts. Andrew Wantz and Jack Maynard have been tough out of the bullpen. Maynard is tied with Easton Welch for the most appearances out of the bullpen at 16. Maynard as a 1.88 EREA and four saves in his 38.1 innings of work. He's struck out 51 hitters and walked just five and has a 4-2 record. Wantz had made 15 appearances, earning 4-0 record, a 2.54 ERA and a team-high six saves. Wantz has struck out 41 hitters in 28.1 innings and holds opponents to a .189 average against. Welch has logged 24.0 innings, earning a 2.62 ERA, a 2-1 record and one save in 16 appearances.
The Catamounts are last in the league with a .251 team batting average. Justice Bigbie leads the team with a .380 average with a team-high 25 RBI. He's connected on eight extra base hits, with seven doubles. Matthew Koehler leads the Catamounts with five home runs and has stolen seven of the Catamounts' 22 bases.
Western Carolina is scheduled to send Chase Walter, Tristan Baker and Taylor Purus to the mound this weekend. Walker has an 0-3 record with a 6.75 ERA in 32.0 innings of work. He's struck out 23 hitters and has allowed 43 hits. Tristan Baker is scheduled to make his second start of his career against the Spartans. Baker earned the win WCU's victory over UNCG a year ago, tossing 6.2 innings, giving up five hits and struck out five hitters. This season, Baker has thrown 38.0 innings, earning a 1-3 record with a 8.05 ERA with 32 strikeouts. Purus has made seven starts this season, earning a 1-6 record. He has a 8.22 ERA in 38.1 innings recording a team-high 38 strikeouts. Zach Franklin has earned Western Carolina's only save of the season. Franklin has made seven relief appearances, tossing 22.1 innings with 29 strikeouts.
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