Northern Kentucky University Athletics

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University baseball team travels to Carrollton, Ga., this weekend for a three-game series against West Georgia.

The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday, which is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.  They will take the field again at noon on Sunday for a single game.

NKU enters the weekend with a 1-3 record.  West Georgia currently holds a 4-3 record after dropping 10-8 game against Montevallo on Wednesday.

LAST TIME AGAINST WEST GEORGIA:  The last time the Norse traveled to Carrollton, Ga., they came home with a four-game sweep over the Wolves during the 2009 season.  NKU outscored West Georgia 48-19, led by Jack Ambrose.  Ambrose totaled six runs, including four homeruns, and 13 RBIs.  He finished 13-for-18 at the plate against West Georgia for the series.

Ambrose received Division II national player of the week honors following his performance against the Wolves.

The Norse own a 5-3 lead in the all-time series against the Wolves.

FAMILIAR FOE:  NKU and West Georgia have faced a similar opponent already.  Last weekend, the Norse dropped two games (10-3 and 3-2) against North Georgia to start the season.  West Georgia also faced the same fate against the Saints, losing 3-2 on February 16.

SOLID START:  Freshman pitcher Drew Campbell picked up a 5-2 victory in his first collegiate start on Tuesday against Lincoln Memorial.  He surrendered just three hits and two runs in four innings on the mound.  Campbell has collected four strikeouts and only allowed three runs in two appearances for the Norse.

RELIABLE RELIEF:  Junior pitcher Brett Loeding came out of the bullpen last week to provide the Norse with two solid efforts on the mound.  He picked up his first save of the season on Tuesday against Lincoln Memorial, pitching scoreless three innings.  Loeding has not allowed a run and has collected six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings for NKU.

OFFENSIVE LEADERS:  Junior catcher Patrick Hyde currently leads the Norse offense.  He holds a .375 batting average and has added a double and an RBI in his three appearances.

Senior outfielder Max Colaner is currently hitting .333 for NKU.  He has collected two runs, and he is currently second on the team with a .500 on-base percentage.

Junior infielder Brandon Wood and sophomore infielder Brett Cisper lead the team with three RBIs to start the season.  Wood has compiled a .286 batting average, while Cisper is hitting .273 for the Norse.