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ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - Henderson State baseball will begin the conference portion of its 2024 season Friday, Feb. 16 when the Reddies head to Weatherford, Oklahoma, for a three-game dual with Southwestern Oklahoma State.

First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at SWOSU Baseball Field with Saturday's doubleheader scheduled for 12 and 3 p.m. 

REDDIES REPORT (4-4, 0-0 GAC)
In its last time out on the diamond, Henderson State defeated Union University in a midweek contest at Clyde Berry Field, 8-2. The Reddies threw seven pitchers, limiting UU to just four hits, all of which came in the first five innings. Over the last three frames, relief pitchers Ethan Perry and Payton Byrd combined for six strikeouts and just one walk.

Luke Rice was the only Henderson batter to record multiple hits in the outing as he now has a team-high 13 hits, having recorded a base-knock in four straight games. After being held without a hit in the opener, outfielder Louis Holt has reflected Rice's hot start with a current seven-game hitting streak as he is up to 11 on the year. Both players are hitting .448 or better through eight games.

Head coach Cody Hooten and his teams have posted nine consecutive GAC-opening series wins, taking all three games against Southern Nazarene in 2021 and Oklahoma Baptist in 2022 before last year's sweep against Southwestern Oklahoma State. This is the first time since 2021 that HSU has started off conference play away from Clyde Berry Field.

The Reddies have won four straight games against SWOSU, including last year's three-game sweep in Arkadelphia. Since both teams joined the GAC, however, Henderson State has taken two-of-three against Southwestern Oklahoma in Weatherford just once. The red-and-gray lead the all-time series against the Bulldogs, 24-12. 

SCOUTING SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE (8-2, 0-0 GAC)
Southwestern Oklahoma State is off to its best 10-game start since joining the GAC, holding an 8-2 record, including a win over then-No. 23 Missouri Southern at home, 7-4. The Bulldogs bring a seven-game win streak into Friday's opener against the Reddies, which is their longest win streak since 2018. Most recently, SWOSU defeated Newman at home, 14-1.

All 10 games this season have been played at SWOSU Baseball Field. Since 2020, Southwestern is 48-32 at home, but it has not won a home GAC series since March of last year. In 2023, the Bulldogs were 6-9 in GAC games played on their own field.

Junior outfielder Reece Burke is pacing the team with a .480 batting average while slugging .880 with two doubles, one triple and two home runs after having played in nine of SWOSU's 10 games, getting the start in seven of them. On the mound, SWOSU's three starters have each recorded double-digit strikeouts in only 11 innings of work.