MONROE, La.?Year two of the Jeff Schexnaider era for ULM
baseball begins this weekend as the Warhawks embark on the 2008 season with a
three-game series at old Southland Conference rival Nicholls State.
The Warhawks will send three lefties to the mound for the
first time in recent history. Senior
Jared Jennings gets the nod on opening night after coming out of the pen the
majority of his career. The Shreveport, La.,
native posted a 6-3 record last year with a 4.83 ERA.
First pitch from Ray Didier Field is schedule for 6:30 p.m.
on Friday, 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. All three games will be broadcast live on www.thepeach993.com.
The Colonels counter Friday night with senior right-hander Lance Dupuis
who went 3-5 with a 4.97 ERA a year ago.
The Warhawks finished their inaugural season as a member of
the Sun Belt Conference 29-28 overall and 15-14 in league play, just a
half game out of second place.
A big reason for ULM's
success last year was the play of its middle infielders Kyle Suire (2B) and Ben
Soignier (SS) who are both back for another crack at the league title this
year.
Suire led the Warhawks last season batting .338 with 10 home runs and 44 RBIs,
while Soignier, a Freshman All-American by Louisville Slugger in 2006, hit .275 with 12
doubles and five home runs despite battling a broken hand.
ULM also returns its starting right and left fielders. A.J. Siggers led the Warhawks during conference play batting .348, while Dexter Fontenot was solid throughout the season hitting .304. The pair each demonstrated a strong arm with 10 combined outfield assists to their credit.
The new look Warhawks feature 17 players who were not on the
roster last season, including 12 transfers.
Two of the transfers will start on the mound this weekend as Ryan Kirk
from Rose State College will throw on Saturday and Josh Lett a transfer from
UNC Asheville gets the ball on Sunday.
ULM leads the series with Nicholls State 66-47 and have won eight of the
last 10 meetings in the series.
