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RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University's baseball team will host North Dakota State University in a three-game series to conclude the regular season.
 
The first game of the series will take place Thursday evening and air live on ESPN+ at 6 p.m.  First pitch for game two is slated for 6 p.m. on Friday.  The series finale is set to begin at 12 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
-  This week's series marks the first time the two schools will compete against each other on the diamond.
 
THE COLONELS
-  EKU is 20-30 this season and 13-17 in Ohio Valley Conference play.  The Colonels have defended Earle Combs Stadium well recently, winning nine of their past eleven contests, including four straight at the venue.
 
-  Senior outfielder Caleb Upshaw is on a hot streak, batting .407 with nine extra-base hits, nine runs and 15 RBIs in his last 15 games.  He boasts a 1.122 OPS over that stretch.
 
-  Freshman outfielder Kendal Ewell has found a groove, hitting .327 with 10 runs, 10 RBIs and eight extra-base hits in his most recent 14 games.
 
-  Freshman outfielder Max Williams is hitting .314 to go alongside three runs, eight RBIs and four extra-base hits over his past 10 games.
 
-  The Eastern Kentucky pitching staff leads the Ohio Valley Conference with 441 strike outs.
 
-  Redshirt sophomore left-hander Will Brian leads the OVC with 10 saves.  Brian picked up two saves on Saturday as part of EKU's conference series sweep of Belmont.  The occasion marked the first time in his career that Brian recorded two saves in one day.
 
-  Freshman left-hander Bryce Travis has muffled opposing offenses, posting a 2.50 ERA in his last seven appearances.
 
-  Junior left-hander Jake Lewis will take the mound for Thursday's series opener.  Lewis is 1-5 with 49 strike outs and a 7.60 ERA in 45 innings this season.  The southpaw has given up just one earned run in his past three appearances.  Redshirt junior right-hander Darren Williams will start game two of the series on Friday.  Williams is 3-7 with 81 strike outs and a 4.24 ERA in 76 and one-third inning.  Over his past seven starts, the right-hander has posted a 3-2 record with 51 strike outs, a 2.39 ERA and five quality starts.  Saturday's game three starter has not been determined.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
-  North Dakota State is 36-15 overall and 20-11 in conference play.  The Bison have won 12 of their past 15 games, catapulting them into second place in the Summit League.
 
-  Senior infielder Bennett Hostetler spearheads the Bison offense with a .399 batting average, 49 RBIs, 43 runs scored and seven home runs.  His .399 batting average leads the Summit League.  Hostetler has recorded a hit in 10 of his last 11 games.  In that period, the infielder is hitting .571 with 12 RBIs and 13 runs scored.
 
-  Senior outfielder/first baseman Jake Malec is tied for the Summit League lead with eight home runs to go with 26 RBIs, 53 runs, and a .327 batting average.
 
-  Sophomore left-handed pitcher Max Loven will get the ball for the Bison on Thursday.  This season Loven is 2-1 with a 3.89 ERA in 44 innings this season.  Over his past four starts, the sophomore is 1-1 with 23 strike outs while posting a 1.73 ERA in 26 innings.  Junior right-hander Evan Sankey will start on Friday for game two.  Sankey is 6-1 with 64 strike outs and a 4.05 ERA in 66 and two-thirds innings.  The junior's six wins are tied for the second most in the Summit League.  Saturday's game three starter has not been determined.