HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University baseball team travels to Montgomery, Alabama this weekend to take on Alabama State in the final nonconference series of the 2016 slate.

The series is made up of four games beginning on Friday, March 11 at 7 p.m. ET. Saturday will feature a doubleheader set to begin at 2 p.m. while the series finale will be played Sunday at 2 p.m.

Links to live stats for all games are available at NKUNorse.com. A live audio broadcast will be available for Saturday and Sunday's games and is set to begin 15 minutes prior to first pitch. Live updates will also be available on Twitter at @NKUNorseGameDay.

Gameday Information
Northern Kentucky Norse (4-7) at Alabama State Hornets (7-6)
Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex | Montgomery, Ala.
Friday, March 11 – 7 p.m. ET
NKU: Jr., RHP Justin Watts
ASU: Sr., RHP Joseph Camacho
Saturday, March 12 – 2 p.m. ET (DH)
NKU: So., RHP Pat Kelley / Sr., RHP Tyler Miller
ASU: RJr., RHP Tyler Howe / TBA
Sunday, March 13 – 2 p.m. ET
NKU: TBA
ASU: Sr., RHP Hunter McIntosh
 
LAST WEEKEND: The Norse are coming off a series split with Western Illinois last weekend. After falling in a 16-11 slugfest to open the series, NKU won back-to-back games with a strong showing from the Norse pitching staff. In game two, Pat Kelley pitched into the seventh inning, holding WIU to three runs in a game that was won in walk-off fashion when Kyle Colletta slid into home, beating the tag for a 5-4 win. Game three of the series was highlighted by eight scoreless innings from four Norse pitchers, anchored by Trey Ganns who picked up the win after 4.0 hitless frames. Alex Bolia picked up his second save of the season after tossing 1.0 inning with two strikeouts for a 7-4 win. After Tyler Miller held the Leathernecks scoreless for the first four innings in the series finale, a back-and-forth offensive battle ensued with the Norse falling, 8-6.

SCOUTING THE HORNETS: The Hornets last saw action when they split a pair of midweek games against Bowling Green to move to 7-6 overall including a 5-1 mark at home. Alabama State has three hitters batting over .300 led by Carlos Ocasio with a .333 average, team-high 15 RBI and four home runs in addition to a perfect 5-for-5 mark in stolen base attempts. ASU is batting .262 as a team and has slugged 11 home runs in 13 games while the pitching staff owns a 3.93 team ERA.

ASU's Friday starter, Joseph Camacho has a 1.29 ERA in 21.0 innings pitched. The righty has held opponents to a .213 average, allowing three runs and striking out 21. The probable game two starter, Tyler Howe, has a 2.95 ERA and 18.1 innings pitched with 15 strikeouts to just two walks. Right-hander Hunter McIntosh who boasts a 2.92 ERA in four appearances and two starts is slated to take the mound on Sunday.

SERIES HISTORY: Northern Kentucky and Alabama State's only meeting was a pair of games in 1983 in the 11th year of the NKU baseball program. Current NKU head coach Todd Asalon was a team captain and senior catcher on the 1983 Norse squad that took on the Hornets. The Norse fell in both games by scores of 7-3 and 3-1.

GANNS EARNS WEEKLY HONORS: Sophomore Trey Ganns was named Horizon League Batter of the Week and also received College Sports Madness Horizon League Baseball Player of the Week for his performance against WIU last weekend. Ganns batted .533 (8-for-15) at the plate and posted six RBI with an .800 slugging percentage and .611 on-base percentage. In his first pitching appearance this season the lefty held the Leathernecks hitless in 4.0 innings, retiring 10 of his first 11 batters.

OFFENSIVE SURGE: The Norse have amassed a Horizon League-leading .287 team batting average after batting .352 in a three-game series at ETSU and .337 against Western Illinois. The NKU offense has had double-digit hits in each of the last seven games and have totaled 111 hits in 11 contests.

STANDOUT SOPHOMORE: Outfielder Mike Moffatt has been one of the most consistent batters for NKU, boasting a .343 average. Of his 12 hits this season, three are home runs. Moffatt appeared in 11 games as a freshman with five hits and two RBI and leads the team so far this year with 10 RBI and a .657 slugging percentage in nine appearances.

ODDS AND ENDS: With 29 doubles across the first 11 games, NKU is averaging 2.64 doubles per game and is tied with Gonzaga for 13th nationally headed into weekend play.

The Norse, who have won four of their last seven contests, are putting together the best start to a Division I season, reaching four wins the quickest since the 2012 campaign.

Haueter extended his season-opening hitting streak to 10 games last weekend while Colletta is on a seven-game hit streak.

UP NEXT: The first midweek match-up of the season awaits NKU on Tuesday, March 15. The Norse travel to Athens, Ohio to take on the Ohio Bobcats at 4 p.m.