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Baseball

Games 8-10 Preview: Northeastern Oklahoma A&M

EUNICE, La. – For the first time in the two program's histories, No. 8 LSU Eunice will face Northeastern Oklahoma A&M this weekend inside Bengal Stadium.  The three-game series is set to begin on Thursday.
 
All games can be seen on Bengals All-Access via www.lsuebengals.net.  Bayou Sports Network will have a live audio stream with Randy Guillory handling the play-by-play duties.  Game One is set for Thursday at 6:00PM with the same start time scheduled for Friday. Saturday's finale is planned for 1:00PM.
 
LSU Eunice is fresh off a second straight weekend sweep, taking four games from SW Tennessee.  After exploding for 95 runs in the first six games of the year, the Bengals took down the Salukis in walk-off fashion 2-1 to close the series.  Jacob Richard propelled the LSUE offense throughout the weekend, hitting 10-for-18 (.588) with four doubles, a triple, seven RBIs, six runs scored and four stolen bases.  The Teurlings Catholic product had three three-hit games against SW Tennessee and had a hand in 13 of the 51 runs scored.
 
The lead-off hitter is currently tops on the team in total bases (24), doubles (7) and hits (15).  For his weekend, Richard was named this week's NJCAA Division II National Player of the Week.
 
Zach Hester is expected to man starting pitching duties to open the series against Northeastern Oklahoma.  The right-hander is 2-0 with a 2.25 earned run average.  Hester pitched four full innings last week, issuing three runs off three hits while striking out five batters.
 
The Norse will open the 2018 season this weekend in its 19th year under head coach Roger Ward.  NEO went 36-17 a year ago and welcome back Bryson Lierle as the lone everyday starter from last year's team.  Lierle hit .450 a year ago with seven home runs and 45 RBIs.  Thursday starter Matthew Gaskins is the top arm back after posting a 7-3 record with a 2.81 earned run average. 
 
Fans can also follow the baseball team's Twitter (@LSUEBengalsBSB), Facebook (@LSUEuniceBaseball) and Instagram (@LSUEBengals) accounts.
 


Games 8-10: LSU Eunice (7-0) vs. NE Oklahoma A&M (0-0)
 
Date/Time:             February 8, 2018 | 6:00PM
                                February 9, 2018 | 6:00PM
                                February 10, 2018 | 1:00PM

Site: Eunice, La.
Stadium: Bengals Stadium
 
Radio:   Bayou Sports Network (pxp – Randy Guillory)
TV/Internet: Bengals All-Access
 
RANKINGS
LSU Eunice: No. 4 by NJCAA Coaches Poll; No. 8 by NJCAA
                                 
PROBABLE STARTERS
Thursday: LSUE RHP Zach Hester (2-0, 2.25) vs. NEO RHP Matthew Gaskins
Friday: LSUE RHP Brent Hebert (1-0, 0.00) vs. NEO RHP Jacob Schultz
Saturday: LSUE RHP Andrew Sheridan (0-0, 1.42) vs. NEO RHP Caleb Rogge
 
Social Media: @LSUEBengalsSB (Twitter), @LSUEuniceSoftball (Facebook), @LSUEBengals (Instagram)
 
SERIES VS. NE OKLAHOMA A&M
First Meeting
 
MEET THE COACHES
LSU EUNICE
Head Coach: Jeff Willis (Arkansas-Little Rock)
Career Record: 727-175 (16th Season), Record at LSU Eunice: Same
 
NE OKLAHOMA A&M
Head Coach: Roger Ward (Oklahoma State)
Career Record: 701-414 (21st Season), Record At NEO: 661- 374 (19th Season)
 
STORYLINES
  • LSU Eunice's bats have come out hot to start the 2018 season.  The Bengals lead the NJCAA in runs (97), doubles (18), home runs (8), total bases (125) and on-base percentage (.529).
  • The Bengals welcome Northeast Oklahoma A&M to town for the very first meeting between the two schools.  The Norse are one of three teams that LSUE will play for the first time this year, joining St. Johns River State College and NJCAA newcomer Nunez CC.
  • LSUE has won the first two NJCAA National Player of the Week awards this season.  Jacob Richard is the latest to earn the honor after going .588 at the plate with four doubles, one triple, seven RBI, six runs scored and four stolen bases.  Cameron Horton was named the first NJCAA Player of the Week of the season after hitting at a .444 clip with two home runs and 11 RBIs.
  • LSUE welcomes back four everyday starters from last year's 46-11 club.  Koi Westbrook, Micah McHugh, Brent Hebert and Cameron Horton return but may see time at different position.  Westbrook's .338 batting average is tops among returnees.
OFFENSIVE FIREWORKS: LSU Eunice has started swinging the bats very effectively to begin the 2018 campaign.  The Bengals have rolled up 97 runs in the first seven games of the year and lead the NJCAA in runs (97), doubles (18), home runs (8), total bases (125) and on-base percentage (.529).

RENAISSANCE MAN: Brent Hebert has solidified himself as arguably one of the best "two-way" players in the NJCAA this season.  Hebert is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA this season to go along with seven strikeouts and two walks.  The outfielder is also batting .556 (10-for-18) with nine RBIs and 11 runs scored while not hitting in the two games he has pitched.

JOLTIN' JACOB:  Jacob Richard made it back-to-back weeks the Bengals were honored with NJCAA National Player of the Week honors.   The Teurlings Catholic product went 10-for-18 (.588) at the plate with four doubles, one triple, seven RBI, six runs scored and four stolen bases.  The centerfielder provided a clutch lead-off triple in the bottom of the 9th and scored the walk-off run on a wild pitch in Saturday's 2-1 win over SW Tennessee.  During the Salukis series, Richard had three three-hit games and had a hand in 13 of the 51 runs scored.  He currently leads LSUE in total bases (24), doubles (7) and hits (15).  The lead-off hitter has been a key cog in a Bengals offense that has scored 97 runs in the first seven games.

CAM GOES BAM: Cameron Horton enjoyed a breakout opening weekend at the plate, earning NJCAA weekly honors.  Horton was named national player of the week after belting two home runs and 11 RBI's during the Bengals season opening sweep.   The sophomore enjoyed a sensational Sunday finale, blasting two homers and driving in 7 RBIs.  It was the most runs driven in by a LSUE player against NJCAA competition since 2013.  For the weekend, Horton hit at a .444 average with the 11 RBIs and 3 runs scored.
 
THE SUPER SIX: LSUE has named six captains for the upcoming season.  The team selected Justin Barton, Micah McHugh, Zach Hester, Koi Westbrook, Sam O'Brien and Hayden Mixon following the fall practice schedule.
 
ROLLING AGAIN WITH ROBERTO: LSUE welcomed back assistant coach Roberto Vaz for his second tour of duty with the Bengals.  Vaz was an assistant at LSU Eunice from 2011-2014 helping the team to the 2012 NJCAA Division II National Championship.  The NJCAA "Golden Anniversary All-Time World Series" team member is in charge of hitting, outfielders and will coach third base this season.
 
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