JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team will go on the road this week to face the East Tennessee State Buccaneers in a two-game series at Cardinal Park. First pitch on Tuesday is 7:00 p.m. while Wednesday’s game is set to get underway at 3:00 p.m.

The Colonels (12-14, 3-3 OVC) will try to bounce back against ETSU as they were swept over the weekend by conference foe Southeast Missouri State.

The Buccaneers (17-9, 6-3 Atlantic Sun) have also struggled recently, losing four of their last five and dropping two of three to North Florida at home over the weekend.

Junior right-hander Macon Smith (0-0, 8.22 ERA in 15.1 innings of work) will make his first start of the season tonight for EKU while freshman right-hander Anthony Bazzani (1-3, 9.00 ERA in 30.0 innings of work) is slated to start for the Colonels on Wednesday.

ETSU will throw right-hander Scott McNalley (4-0, 5.47 ERA in 26.1 innings of work) on Tuesday and right-hander Josh Means (0-1, 6.91 ERA in 27.1 innings of work) on Wednesday.

EKU enters this week hitting an even .300 as a team. Junior Jayson Langfels continues to lead the way as the preseason All-American is hitting .406 with 11 doubles, nine home runs, 30 runs scored and 28 RBI. Sophomore Richie Rodriguez is also putting together an excellent second season in Richmond, hitting .388 with seven doubles, three home runs, 23 runs scored and team-best nine stolen bases.

The Buccaneers come in batting .328 on the season and are led by the hard-hitting Paul Hoilman, who is hitting .449 on the year with 13 home runs and 43 RBI.

This will be the 71st meeting between the two schools, with EKU leading the series, 44-25-1; however, the Colonels and the Buccaneers have not met since 2001 and the Buccaneers won both meetings that season.

After facing ETSU, the Colonels will return home to face Austin Peay in a three-game conference series at Turkey Hughes Field this weekend.