April 4, 2008

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - After just missing out on an upset win over nationally-ranked Texas A&M, the Lumberjacks dive head first back into conference play with a three-game series against a dangerous Central Arkansas team beginning Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Friday's game is scheduled to be broadcasted on Q107.7 FM, while Saturday's game will be broadcasted live on KSFA 860AM, or online at www.ksfa860.com.

The `Jacks (11-15, 1-7 SLC) dropped a pair of games to Northwestern State last weekend before having the final game of the series rained out, and fell twice to Texas A&M this week and has now fallen in 10 of its last 13 overall; however, the `Jacks bullpen has managed to find its stride as of late and sports a 1.38 ERA over its last five games in nearly 18 innings of work.

SFA still sits near the top of the league in stolen bases, having stolen its 50th of the season on Wednesday against the Aggies. The `Jacks stole only 66 bases all of last year in 59 games.

Donnie Watson will also send a pair of fresh starting pitchers to the bump this weekend as Erik Gregersen is scheduled to make his second start of the year on Friday. Freshman Jeremy Tamez, who has been a bright spot for the `Jacks as of late, will make his first career start on Sunday in what will only be his fourth collegiate appearance. He currently carries a 0.96 ERA in 9.1 innings tossed.

Central Arkansas (12-17, 2-7) is in a similar situation to SFA in that they also sit low in the SLC standings, but the Bears already have several quality wins including a road win in Oxford, Miss., over then-No. 8 Ole Miss. They also took two of three from SLC preseason favorite UT-San Antonio just two weeks ago.

They are coming off a pair of losses to Kansas State and have lost their last four, but possess plenty of firepower as is evident by their 28-run outburst against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on March 26.

The Bears are hitting .277 as a team and are led offensively by Scott Cline's .337 mark, along with a team-best four homers and 21 RBI. Kent Taylor and Chris Davis also aid the offense with their team-best 22 RBI apiece.

Jeremy Cloud is scheduled for the Friday start and will put his 2.08 ERA on the line against Gregersen before righty Bobby Pritchett gets the nod on Saturday.

Projected pitching matchups vs. Texas A&M:

Friday

SFA: Erik Gregersen (RHP) 0-0, 6.66 ERA, 24.1 IP, 25K, 12BB

UCA: Jeremy Cloud (RHP) 0-2, 2.08 ERA, 13.0 IP, 10K, 4BB

Saturday

SFA: Lance Luetge (LHP) 3-3, 3.23 ERA, 39.0 IP, 19K, 14BB

UCA: Bobby Pritchett (RHP) 3-3, 4.24 ERA, 34.0 IP, 26K, 9BB

Sunday

SFA: Jeremy Tamez (RHP) 1-0, 0.96 ERA, 9.1 IP, 2K, 4BB

UCA: TBA

-SFA-