ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — After stealing a game on the road last Friday, Henderson State now looks to build momentum at home this weekend when the Reddies face Southern Nazarene in a three-game set. Following a schedule change due to weather, HSU will face the Crimson Storm in a doubleheader at 4 p.m. Saturday and a single game at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Reddies Report
- At the plate, the Reddies are led by
Brandon Pollock,
Bryson Haskins and
Joseph Shepherd who are all above the .300 threshold. Pollock sports a .310 average and is tied with Shepherd for the team lead in hits with 18, while Haskins bats .304 and leads HSU in runs scored with 12.
- Shepherd comes into the weekend batting an even .300, and leads the team in triples, extra-base hits, and slugging. Shepherd is also one of three everyday players for HSU with a perfect fielding percentage.
- While HSU hitters have done an admirable job of drawing walks and getting on-base, the Reddies' continue to struggle in hitting for power. Henderson is only slugging .323 as a team, and averages less than two extra-base hits per game through 17 outings.
- Relief Pitchers
Kris Priddy and
Jon Youngblood have emerged as bright spots in the HSU bullpen, and have both accrued a 2.45 ERA in 33.0 combined innings this season. Priddy's key to success has been an impressive strikeout to walk ratio. The senior has punched out 17 batters while allowing just two walks in 18.1 innings.
- Although the Reddies' starting rotation has battled early season injuries, HSU is confident that
Drake Salsman will continue to build on a standout performance last weekend at Oklahoma Baptist. In seven innings, Salsman allowed just five total baserunners and gave up only one earned run while striking out seven.
HSU Statistical Leaders HSU Pitching Leaders
Batting Average –
Brandon Pollock, .310 ERA –
Kris Priddy,
Jon Youngblood, 2.45
Hits –
Joseph Shepherd,
Brandon Pollock, 18 Wins –
Jon Youngblood, 2
HRs - Mitchell Jr.,
Jackson Martin,
Josh Aguilar, 3 Strikeouts –
Matthew Baker, 22
RBI –
Danny Mitchell Jr., 13 Innings Pitched –
Zach Eschberger, 24.1
Runs –
Bryson Haskins, 12 Appearances –
Spencer Taack,
Jon Youngblood, 7
OBP –
Joe Myers, .478 Complete Games – NA
SLG –
Joseph Shepherd, .433 Shutouts – One Team Shutout
OPS –
Joseph Shepherd, .833 Saves – NA
Scouting Southern Nazarene
- Following an up-and-down non-conference schedule, the Crimson Storm have struggled to begin the Great American Conference portion of their season. Southern Nazarene (4-12, 1-7) has scored more than four runs just five times through 16 games, and pushed across only three runs in three games while being swept by Ouachita Baptist last weekend.
- The Crimson Storm lineup is paced by second baseman and three-hole hitter Shelby Reese, who is batting an impressive .365 this season. Although Reese isn't known for power, he is a threat on the base path, where he has swiped seven bags without being thrown out.
- On the mound, the Reddies can expect to see Jefferson Harris, who's put together a respectable beginning to 2019 with a 3.95 ERA in five starts. Harris is tied for the team lead in starts with Ryan Mills, who has had some trouble on the hill. Mills has racked up a 10.80 ERA and has only lasted more than five innings once in five starts.
- Tyler Thompson is SNU's most popular choice out of the bullpen. Thompson has appeared in half of the Crimson Storm's contests and has a 3.14 ERA in 14.1 innings pitched.
SNU Hitting Leaders SNU Pitching Leaders
Batting Average – Shelby Reese, .347 ERA – Jefferson Harris, 3.95
Hits – Shelby Reese, 17 Wins – Tyler Thompson, 2
Home Runs – Emilio Escobedo, 2 Strikeouts – Jefferson Harris, 24
RBI – Emilio Escobedo, 11 Innings Pitched – Jefferson Harris, 27.1
Runs – Garrett Perez, 12 Appearances – Tyler Thompson, 7
OBP – Shelby Reese, .450 Complete Games – Jefferson Harris, 1
SLG – Emilio Escobedo, .481 Shutouts – NA
OPS – Shelby Reese, .879 Saves – Tyler Thompson, 1
