Drury will take part in history this weekend when Coach Scott Nasby's Panthers will take on William Jewell in the first official games at the refurbished U.S. Baseball Park in Ozark. 

Drury (11-18, 3-5 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference) will face Jewell's Cardinals (19-10, 5-3) in doubleheaders starting at noon on both Saturday and Sunday at the former Price-Cutter Park (and home of the Ozark Mountain Ducks) that has received a total makeover, including a full artificial turf surface and installation of a giant scoreboard/videoboard beyond the right-field wall at the stadium located just off of Highways 65 and CC at the north edge of Ozark.

It's Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day for the Panthers, with proceeds from all sales of Andy's Frozen Custard at the park being donated to raise CHD awareness through the American Heart Association. 

The Panthers sit just two games out of the GLVC West lead shared by Jewell, Rockhurst and Missouri S&T after two weekends of league play. Drury earned a split at Truman State last weekend by sweeping a Sunday pair from the Bulldogs, sparked by strong pitching efforts from sophomores Trey Faulconer and Austin Simms. Freshman outfielder Ryan Kayhill was a spark for the Panthers offensively, going 12-for-16 at the plate for the weekend, including a 7-for-8 day on Saturday highlighted by a 5-for-5 effort in the opener.

Ryan Colombo is hitting .330 with 12 RBIs, Kayhill is batting .315 with 11 RBIs and five steals and John Goodrich is hitting .309 with 12 RBIs to pace the Panthers offensively. Simms, at 4-2 with a 4.54 ERA, joins Colombo (3-3, 3.14) and Faulconer (1-0, 3.68) in leading the DU pitchers, while closer Ryan Wedermyer has a 1.59 ERA and four saves in a team-leading 12 appearances.

Drury will also face Quincy next weekend in a four-game set at U.S. Baseball Park, including the first "Pack The Park" promotional day on Saturday, April 16, featuring $5 tickets, tailgates and giveaways throughout the doubleheader that day.

(Directions To U.S. Baseball Park: Take Highway 65 South out of Springfield to the Highway CC/J Exit in Ozark. Turn left at left, then turn right at light next to Lambert's Cafe. Follow outer road right to ballpark).