March 27, 2008

At first glance this weekend's Southland Conference baseball series between Lamar and Central Arkansas doesn't appear to have that exciting of a fell to it. Lamar enters with a 15-8 record and is tied for first place in the East Division at 5-1, while UCA comes to town with a 12-12 mark and 2-4 in SLC play.

But after the Bears took two-of-three from the Cardinals in Conway last season - with both wins over staff aces Brian Sisk and Allen Harrington - don't be surprised to see Lamar come out with a little extra fire at the plate Friday night when the series opens at 6:30 p.m.

Lamar has won four straight conference games and is 11-3 at home following Tuesday's split with UTPA. Three players are hitting over .300 for coach Jim Gilligan's bunch, led by Steven Tucker's .372 average and team-high six doubles. Chris Dunkin (.313) and reigning SLC Hitter of the Week Travis Dunson (.305) are also hitting over .300, with Jeff Vickers hitting .291 and pacing the Cardinals with 20 RBI.

While UCA may have a .500 overall record, the Bears are coming off a stretch in the last two weeks in which they have won five of six, with win at Ole Miss, two-of-three over SLC West preseason favorite UTSA and midweek road wins at Arkansas-Little Rock and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Scott Clint is hitting .367 with eight doubles, nine walks and ateam-high three homers. Chris Davis (.354), Kent Taylor (.345) and Kevin Rawls (.319) are also everyday players who are well over the Mendoza Line.

UCA is hitting .290 as a team, just ahead of Lamar's .285. The Bears pitching staff has been steady in league play and ranks third in team ERA at .441. While Lamar's pitching has been consistent, the Cards' defense has been the difference in a lot of games. LU leads the Southland and ranks 36th in the nation with a .971 fielding pct.

Lamar will send the senior lefthander Sisk to the mound on Friday. He is 4-1 with a 3.48 ERA and has struck out 27 in 31 innings. UCA will counter with junior righthander Jeremy Cloud. He will be making just his third start of the year and is 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in six innings of work.

Fans can listen to all three games on the internet at lamarcardinals.com, with Friday and Sunday's contests broadcast on KLVI 560-AM with Harold Mann on the call. Air time is 10 minutes prior to first pitch.