RICHMOND, Ky. – After playing at No. 12 Tennessee on Tuesday, Eastern Kentucky University will host No. 15 Florida Gulf Coast for a three-game ASUN Conference series starting Friday at Earle Combs Stadium.
 
Friday's series opener is scheduled for 6 p.m.  The series schedule has changed.  The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 3 p.m.  There will not be a game on Sunday due to the forecast for poor weather.  All three games of the series will air live on ESPN+.
 
Friday will be Earle Combs Day as we honor the legendary former Colonel and MLB Hall of Fame member.  Baseball Bingo returns as well on Friday, with the first three winners taking home EKU baseball mini bats.  Saturday will be Jackie Robinson Day and the 2012 EKU conference championship team will be recognized at the game.  Sunday will be Kids Day with FREE coffee and donuts.  All kids 12 and under receive FREE admission and get to run the bases after the game.
 
THE COLONELS
-  EKU is 13-19 overall and 4-8 in ASUN Conference games.  The Colonels are 3-3 in their last six league games.
 
-  First baseman Charlie Ludwick leads the team in runs (24), RBIs (23) and walks (23).
 
-  Reliever Brock Blanton is tied for first in the ASUN with 17 appearances this season.  He is 2-0 with three saves and a 3.12 ERA.
 
-  The Colonels are fourth in the nation in double plays turned with 35.
 
-  Sophomore left-hander Isaac Milburn will make the Friday night start.  He is 2-3 with a 6.40 ERA over 32 and one-third innings.  Junior Rese Brown will get the ball for game two of the series.  The righty is 1-4 with a 7.43 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 36 and one-third innings.  Junior newcomer Luke Reed is scheduled to start the finale.  The right-hander is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA.  In 24 innings of work he has allowed just 21 hits and eight earned runs.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
-  Florida Gulf Coast is 26-7 overall and sitting at 10-2 in the ASUN.  The Eagles swept Queens on the road over the weekend, averaging 12 runs per game.  FGCU lost at home to Florida Atlantic, 5-4, on Tuesday.
 
-  First baseman Alejandro Figueredo leads the team with a .390 batting average to go along with 12 home runs, 40 RBIs and 45 runs.  Second baseman Edrick Felix and third baseman Jacob Lojewski have a team-best 13 home runs.  Designated hitter Joe Kinker has also hit 12 dingers.  Outfielder Brian Ellis has reached base in an NCAA record 102 straight games.
 
-  FGCU leads the ASUN in average (.326), runs (331) and home runs (77).  The Eagles have scored 80 more runs and hit 23 more home runs than anyone else in the conference.  Florida Gulf Coast is second in the nation in home runs and fifth in team batting average.

-  Connor O'Hara will start on Friday.  The redshirt sophomore righty, who will be making his third start of the season, is 3-2 with a 3.75 ERA over 36 innings.  Freshman right-hander Justin Henschel will start game two of the series.  He is 4-0 with a 3.71 ERA in 34 innings of work.  The game three starter has not been determined.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
-  This will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
 
-  EKU and Florida Gulf Coast were not scheduled to play during the regular season last year.  Both teams made it to the ASUN Tournament, but did not face each other.