Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Friday, April 3
Houston, Texas
6:30 PM
Middle Tennessee
at
No. 14 Rice
MT puts C-USA lead on line
4/2/2015 8:00:00 PM | Baseball
Blue Raiders at Rice this weekend
HOUSTON – Middle Tennessee will look to maintain its lead atop the C-USA baseball standings when it plays a pivotal three-game series at No. 13 Rice this weekend.
The series opens with Johnathan Frebis (4-2, 3.27) taking the mound for Middle Tennessee against Rice starter Kevin McCanna (3-2, 3.46) at Reckling Park Friday at 6:30 p.m.
The Blue Raiders (16-11, 8-1) have won five straight C-USA games and all three weekend series to start league play. The 8-1 start is the best for Middle Tennessee in conference play since 2009 when the Blue Raiders started 11-1.
Rice (20-11, 9-3) is currently second in the conference standings and is one of the nation's most tradition-rich baseball programs. The Owls won the 2003 National Championship and have 20 straight NCAA Regional appearances to their credit.
The Owls have won five of their last seven and are 13-5 at home this season.
Strong pitching, timely hitting and airtight defense have helped Middle Tennessee get off to its strong start. The Blue Raiders' pitching staff sports the top ERA (2.33) in C-USA. Middle Tennessee is also outscoring league opponents, 48-23, in the first three conference series.
Newcomer Ronnie Jebavy has been a catalyst in the team's offense. Jebavy was named C-USA Hitter of the Week last week. He has hit safely in 24 of 27 games and has reached base in 25 games. He leads the team in eight offensive categories and has a nine-game hit streak to go with a team-high 16 multi-hit games.
The Blue Raiders are ranked 35th in the latest college baseball RPI rankings compiled on WarrenNolan.com. Middle Tennessee is second among C-USA teams, trailing FAU (8) and standing one spot ahead of Rice (36).
The series opens with Johnathan Frebis (4-2, 3.27) taking the mound for Middle Tennessee against Rice starter Kevin McCanna (3-2, 3.46) at Reckling Park Friday at 6:30 p.m.
The Blue Raiders (16-11, 8-1) have won five straight C-USA games and all three weekend series to start league play. The 8-1 start is the best for Middle Tennessee in conference play since 2009 when the Blue Raiders started 11-1.
Rice (20-11, 9-3) is currently second in the conference standings and is one of the nation's most tradition-rich baseball programs. The Owls won the 2003 National Championship and have 20 straight NCAA Regional appearances to their credit.
The Owls have won five of their last seven and are 13-5 at home this season.
Strong pitching, timely hitting and airtight defense have helped Middle Tennessee get off to its strong start. The Blue Raiders' pitching staff sports the top ERA (2.33) in C-USA. Middle Tennessee is also outscoring league opponents, 48-23, in the first three conference series.
Newcomer Ronnie Jebavy has been a catalyst in the team's offense. Jebavy was named C-USA Hitter of the Week last week. He has hit safely in 24 of 27 games and has reached base in 25 games. He leads the team in eight offensive categories and has a nine-game hit streak to go with a team-high 16 multi-hit games.
The Blue Raiders are ranked 35th in the latest college baseball RPI rankings compiled on WarrenNolan.com. Middle Tennessee is second among C-USA teams, trailing FAU (8) and standing one spot ahead of Rice (36).
Players Mentioned
LHP
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