BASEBALL PREVIEW
#24 Drury Panthers (15-5, 0-0) vs. McKendree Bearcats (5-13, 0-0)
US Baseball Park
Fri.- 5 pm
Sat.- Noon (DH)
Sun.- Noon
 
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SPRINGFIELD, Mo.– The Drury Panthers open their Great Lakes Valley Conference season on Friday when they open a four-game series against McKendree at US Baseball Park in Ozark. Friday's game starts at 5 pm. Saturday is a doubleheader with a noon first pitch, and the series concludes with a noon game on Sunday.
 
Drury is ranked 24^th in NCAA-II in this week's poll and brings a 15-5 record into the weekend. The Panthers won two of three games last week in a non-conference series against Southern Indiana. McKendree is 5-13 and lost three of four contests last weekend to Grand Valley State. The weekend series serves as the GLVC opener for both teams.
 
Drury and McKendree have not played one another since 2019. The Panthers lead the all-time series 14-2.
 
Drury is 15-3 at home this season and has played 18 of their first 20 games on their home field.
 
After this weekend, the Panthers travel to Maryville next weekend for a four-game series against the Saints April 1-3 in St. Louis.
 
DRURY QUICK FACTS
Diamond Notes
-- Aaron Mann ranks 3^rd in the GLVC with a .472 average and is 4^th in the league in RBIs with 28
-- Nikko Calabro is 3^rd in the league in RBIs with 29
-- Cody Bahl's 45 strikeouts are the third-most in the GLVC
-- Wes Collins is 5 for his last 9 at the plate with one home run and 7 RBIs in his last three games
-- Mann enters the weekend with a seven-game hitting streak and is 10 for 20 (.500) with 2 HRs, and 8 RBIs
-- McKendree head coach Andrew Stepp is in his third season with the Bearcats and the Nixa, Missouri, native is returning to Christian County for the first time as a head coach
 
Probable Starters for Drury
Fri.- LHP Cody Bahl (3-1, 4.61 ERA)
Sat.- RHP Mason Meeks (3-0, 4.64 ERA)
Sat.- TBA
Sun.- TBA
 
Head Coaches
Drury- Scott Nasby (10th year, 272-194-1)
McK- Andrew Stepp (3^rd year)
 
Stat Leaders
DU- Aaron Mann (.472, 3 HR, 28 RBI), DJ McNew (.377, 25 RBI, 8 doubles), Stephen Randazzo (.368, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 11 doubles), Nikko Calabro (.358, 5 HR, 29 RBI); Cody Bahl (4-1, 4.15 ERA, 54 SO, 11 BB, 34.2 IP), Mason Meeks (3-0, 5.03 ERA, 39.1 IP, 11 BB, 30 SO)
 
McK- Corey Price (.427, 4 HR, 14 RBI), Gavin Arseneau (.387, 5 HR, 16 RBI), Mason Hale (.196, 6 HR, 15 RBI), Owen Gross (7 app, 0-0, 4.91 ERA), Mark Branz (8 app, 2-0, 5.68 ERA)
 
Drury Summary
Record: 15-5
Current Streak: Lost 1
All-time series vs McKendree: 14-2
Record in last five games: 2-3
Record at home: 15-3
Record on the road: 0-2
In 1-run games: 2-1
Extra Innings: 1-0
Shutouts: 0-0
Decided in last AB: 2-1
Leading after 6 inn.: 13-0
Trailing after 6 inn.: 2-5
Tied after 6 inn.: 0-0
Leading after 7 inn.: 14-0
Trailing after 7 inn.: 0-5
Tied after 7 inn.: 1-0
Leading after 8 inn.: 14-0
Trailing after 8 inn.: 0-5
Tied after 8 inn.: 1-0
Best record: 13-1
Worst record: 13-4
Longest win streak: 10 (Feb. 11-28)
Longest losing streak: 3 (March 9-13)
 
 
#allweDUiswin