LOYOLA (LA) 15-3 vs FAULKNER (AL) 15-5
This year the Big Series of the week is brought to you by our friends at the Sho Me Collegiate League!
Loyola (LA) vs Faulkner (AL)
Montgomery, AL – The two top teams in the standings of the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) are set to meet this weekend in Alabama. The Eagles of Faulkner are coming off a series victory in what was their toughest matchup to date, taking two of three at William Carey (MS). Loyola is also coming off a series win on the road at Blue Mountain Christian (MS). The SSAC is primed to make a big resurgence as the nation’s toughest conference; they are by far in the top 3 conversation with 7 of the 11 programs currently playing above .500 baseball. The winner of this series earns themselves a big boost in the standings in a conference where anyone can beat anyone in a weekend.
HISTORY
Faulkner leads the all-time series 43-11, and when playing in Montgomery, Alabama, the Eagles are 15-3 against the Wolf Pack. In their last 10 matchups, though, these programs are 5-5 against each other. Since being in the same conference, Faulkner leads the conference play series 29-7 and won 15 straight from 2007-2013.
SCHEDULE
All times are local.
Saturday, March 9th at 2 p.m.
Sunday, March 10th at 12 p.m.
Sunday, March 10th at 2:30 p.m.
HOW TO WATCH
THE TEAMS
Faulkner comes into the weekend at 15-5 and is hitting .337 as a team 20 games into the 2024 campaign, with 24 home runs. Then you look at what they do at home, and it’s even better: a team average of .368, 131 runs, 29 doubles, and 17 home runs in the comfort of their own ballpark. Orlando Lorduy leads the squad in hits, doubles, and home runs so far this season. Other offensive names to watch will be Juan Trinidad and Johnny Lopez. On the mound, the Eagles boast a 4.29 team earned run average in 151 innings pitched this year. Right-hander Nicholas Graham leads the team in earned run average and strikeouts through five starts. Junior Marco Ozuna leads the team in innings pitched, while another name to watch from the pen is Moses Hayes, who can go multiple innings and start if needed.
Loyola enters this weekend with a record of 15-3, and as a squad, the Wolf Pack are hitting .332 this year with 8 home runs as a team. In 5 true road contests this season, Loyola is hitting .305 as a team and has driven in 45 runs. Freshman infielder Jaxon Buratt leads the team in hits and average, while Juniors Brandon Mooney and Collin Zeringue lead the team in runs batted in. On the mound, Loyola has a team earned run average of 4.06. Among arms with 10 plus innings pitched, Payton Cooper leads the team in earned run average at 2.16, mainly out of the pen. Senior Stephen Still, a mainstay in this rotation, leads the team in strikeouts with 32 in 25.2 innings of work.
STAFF PICKS
Robby- Loyola
Conner- Faulkner
Taylor- Loyola
Tyler- Faulkner
