ABILENE, Texas – The McMurry University baseball team will look to stop a three-game skid when it hosts a three-game series against St. Edward's University in Heartland Conference action on Friday and Saturday.
 
The War Hawks are coming off a 7-2 defeat at the hands of Angelo State University on Tuesday. In the game, starting pitcher Caleb Gonzales went a solid five innings of work to open the game. He gave up just four hits while striking out five and not allowing an earned run.
 
Offensively, the War Hawks collected 10 hits in the contest, led by a 3-for-4, two RBI performance by Eric Preuss. Dylan De Leon and Ricky Garcia also had multiple hits on the day, collecting two apiece.
 
The Hilltoppers of St. Edward's come into the weekend having taken two out of three games against Newman University. After winning the first two games, 7-3 and 4-2, SEU fell in game three, 11-6. In that third game, Ransom LaLonde and CJ Manning each totaled three hits in the game. Manning also drove in three RBIs.
 
After starting the season with seven straight home contests, Walt Driggers Field and the War Hawks will serve as the first road test for the Hilltoppers.
 
So far this season, the War Hawks pitching staff as been solid, allowing opponents to hit just .209 through seven games. The team also boasts a 1.93 ERA. Offensively, AJ Dupre, Preuss and De Leon all lead the team with seven hits each. Preuss is also tied with Casey Berryman for the team lead in RBIs with three.
 
For the Hilltoppers, offense has been plentiful this season, as they are hitting .309 as a team through seven contests. Manning leads the team, hitting .579 with eight RBIs. Taylor Johnson leads the team in hits with 12 while hitting .500 so far. Through seven games, SEU is outscoring its opponents 50-31.
 
Probable Starters
 
Game 1 – For the first game, the War Hawks plan to go with Spencer Smith. Smith has been a workhorse for McM this season, allowing just five hits combined in his first two starts of the season. Holding opponents to a .111 batting average, he currently boasts a 0.00 ERA and has struck out more batters than he has allowed on base through two starts (10 strikeouts/seven base runners: five hits, two walks).
 
The Hilltoppers could counter with Brad Nasis who currently sports a 3.00 ERA. Nasis has appeared in two contests and posted a 2-0 record. Through 14 innings, Nasis has allowed 12 hits and four earned runs while striking out nine.
 
Game 2 – In the second-half of the double header on Friday, Jared Hopper is expected to get the nod. Hopper has made one appearance in a relief role this season. In that appearance, he went four solid innings allowing four hits and one earned run while striking out four.  Hopper currently boasts a 2.25 ERA.
 
Brannon Easterling could go for SEU in game two. Easterling has appeared in two contests and has an 0-1 record with a 5.25 ERA in 12.0 innings of work.
 
Game 3 – In the nine-inning contest on Saturday, the War Hawks plan on going with Aaron Burns, who has given up just one earned run over two starts this year, and is 1-1 with a 0.84 ERA. He currently ranks third on the team in strikeouts with eight and has allowed just seven hits, holding opponents to a combined .187 batting average.
 
The Hilltoppers potential starter for game three is Cody Ellerbee who ranks second on the team in ERA (1.93). He leads SEU in innings pitched (14.0) and has allowed just three earned runs through two starts this season.