RICHMOND, Ky. – Riding a 3-game winning streak, EKU will begin ASUN Conference play at home on Friday against in-state rival Bellarmine.
 
Game times for Friday and Saturday's games have been changed.  Friday's series opener is now scheduled for 3:30 p.m.  Game two of the series will be Saturday at 2 p.m.  The series finale is set for Sunday at 1 p.m.  The first two games of the series will air live on ESPN+.
 
Fans can get an exclusive green color cup at the concessions stand with the purchase of a beverage on Friday.  Baseball Bingo returns as well on Friday, with the first three winners taking home EKU baseball mini bats.  Saturday is the first EKU trading card giveaway of the season.  Sunday will be Kids Day and Sandlot Day.  All kids 12 and under receive FREE admission and get to run the bases after the game.  Fans of all ages will enjoy a classic baseball movie throughout the gameday experience.
 
THE COLONELS
-  EKU swept Presbyterian in a 3-game series at home over the weekend, improving to 7-9 on the season.
 
-  The Colonel pitching staff held PC to five runs in three games.  EKU posted a 1.08 ERA, allowed only 14 hits and struck out 19 batters in 25 innings.
 
-  Outfielder Roderick Criss II hit .700 (7-for-10) in the 3-game sweep of Presbyterian.  He scored four runs, hit two home runs, had three RBIs, two stolen bases and a 1.300 slugging percentage.
 
-  The Colonels are sixth in the nation with an average of 1.12 double plays turned per game.
 
-  Rese Brown will get the start on Friday.  The junior right-hander is 1-1 with a 3.79 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 19 innings.  Freshman Nathan Lawson will make his second start on Saturday.  The righty is 1-0, and carries a 0.90 ERA through four relief appearances and one start spanning 10 innings.  The starter for the series finale has not been determined.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
-  Bellarmine is 5-12 this season.  The Knights began 2023 with four straight wins, but have gone 1-12 since, including losing 10 straight.
 
-  Casey Sorg, a sophomore who plays right field, pitches and serves as the designated hitter, leads the team with a .359 average and is tied for the team lead with three home runs.  He also has nine runs and 10 RBIs.  On the mound, Sorg has made three appearances and started twice, pitching to a 3.00 ERA in three innings of work.  Senior second baseman Peyton Back leads the squad with 13 RBIs, is tied for the team lead with 11 runs and is hitting .279.
 
-  The Bellarmine pitching staff has a 7.50 ERA and is allowing opponents to hit .313.

-  Nolan Pender will get the ball for game one.  The junior right-hander is 2-1 with a 1.73 ERA this season.  In 26 innings over four starts, he has allowed just five earned runs and struck out 27.  Drew Buhr, a senior righty with a 1-2 record and a 7.20 ERA will start game two.  He has struck out 24 in 20 innings.  The series finale goes to Gavin Braunecker, a junior left-hander with a 9.45 ERA and an 0-3 record.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
-  EKU leads the all-time series 19-6-1.  The Colonels won six of the last seven meetings between the two teams over the past two seasons.  EKU swept the Knights in Richmond last season and won two of three in Louisville.
 
-  The Colonels won the last meeting 4-3 in 10 innings on May 1, 2022 in Louisville.  Matthew Corlew drove in what proved to be the winning run with a two-out single to right center in the top of the 10th.