ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University baseball will open a three game series versus American Southwest Conference East Division foe East Texas Baptist University beginning Friday evening at Walt Driggers Field. Friday's single game (9 inn.) begins at 7 p.m., with Saturday's doubleheader (7 inn./9 inn.) first pitch at 1 p.m.

The Tigers come in with a 5-8 record, after dropping two-of-three at Mary Hardin-Baylor last weekend. ETBU has two of its everyday players – Garrett Parsons and Tristen Cooksey – batting better than .400. Garrett tops the club at .467 with
Cooksey at .421.

ETBU's pitching staff is led by Petre Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmons sports a 2-1 record and a 2.52 ERA in 25 innings on the hill. He has a 25-to-4 strikeout to walk ratio.

The War Hawks, 2-11 overall, were swept in a three-game series at Centenary last weekend in their most recent action.

The McM offense has been ignited by secondbaseman Dylan De Leon's .429 batting average. DeLeon has four doubles and a homerun, as well as a .489 on-base average. He has scored a team-leading eight runs.

Shortstop Kory Moench is at .326 with the bat and has driven home a team-leading runs batted in. Once on base, Moench has been the War Hawks' best threat by safely stealing in 6-of-8 attempts.

David Towler has a team-high 22 strikeouts and Spencer Smith adds 17 “K's”.