GAME NOTES--SAMFORD VS. WCU (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University baseball team will travel to Cullowhee, N.C., for a SoCon series with Western Carolina this weekend. The teams are set to play Friday at 4 p.m. (CT), Saturday at 1 p.m. (CT) and Sunday at 12 p.m. (CT). The Friday and Sunday games can be seen live on ESPN+.
 
Samford and Western Carolina have met 52 previous times, with Samford holding a 30-22 series lead. Last season, Samford won two-of-three games at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
 
Samford will start right-handed pitcher Michael Ross (8-0, 2.88 ERA) on Friday and righty Brooks Rice (4-3, 5.26 ERA on Saturday. A starter for Sunday has not been named yet. WCU will start right-handed pitcher Gavin Mortenson (2-2, 3.82 ERA), right-hander Dante Visconti (2-0, 6.67 ERA) and righty Davis Budd (1-1, 7.03 ERA.
 
Samford has a record of 24-12 overall and 8-1 in SoCon play. The Bulldogs dropped a hard-fought 10-8 game to Troy Tuesday night. Last weekend, Samford won two-of-three games from ETSU.
 
So far this season, Samford has been led at the plate by John Anderson, batting .419 with 11 doubles, nine home runs and 43 RBI. Garrett Howe is hitting .389 with 10 doubles, five home runs and 31 RBI. Dating back to last season, Howe has currently reached base in 37-consecutive games, the third-longest streak in school history.
 
As a team, Samford is currently tied for the SoCon lead in home runs with 55 and ranks third in batting average at .316. Individually, Anderson ranks second in the SoCon in batting average (.419). Howe leads the SoCon in walks (34) and ranks second in on-base percentage (.520) and runs scored (51).
 
Western Carolina enters the series with a record of 20-14 overall and 5-4 in SoCon play. The Catamounts earned a 10-5 win over Appalachian State Tuesday night. Last weekend, Western Carolina lost two-of-three games to UNC Greensboro.
 
Western Carolina has been led at the plate so far this season by Zach Ketterman, batting .347 with five doubles, six home runs and 27 RBI. Nate Stocum leads the Catamounts and ranks second in the SoCon in home runs with 14.
 
The first and third games of the series can be seen live online via ESPN+. Fans can also follow all three games online via live stats. For links to follow all of Samford's games this season, click on the following link: BASEBALL SCHEDULE.
 
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford baseball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordBaseball (Facebook), @SamfordBaseball (Instagram) and @SamfordBaseball (Twitter).