HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University baseball team will open the 2018 season with a series against East Tennessee State this weekend. Friday's game will be streamed live on the Southern Conference Digital Network, and all of the games will feature live stats.

Northern Kentucky vs. ETSU
Friday, Feb. 16 – 6 p.m.  Live Stats | Live Video |Tickets
Saturday, Feb. 17 – 12 p.m. Live Stats | Tickets
Saturday, Feb. 17 – 3 p.m. Live Stats | Tickets
Sunday, Feb. 18 – 1 p.m. Live Stats | Tickets
 
Scouting ETSU
The Bucs were picked to finish fourth in the Southern Conference preseason poll. ETSU's Chris Cook, a senior shortstop, was selected to the preseason All-SoCon First Team. Last season, he led the conference in doubles (22), total bases (143), and runs (62). He also finished second in the conference with 91 hits.
 
ETSU also had two players named to the All-SoCon Second Team. Ryan Simpler is a senior right-handed pitcher who finished last season with a 3.99 ERA in 14 starts and 90.1 innings pitched. He ranked sixth in the conference with 96 strikeouts. Aaron Maher is a senior outfielder and left-handed pitcher, who started in all 59 games for the Bucs in 2017. He had a .324 batting average with 83 hits, five home runs, 17 doubles, 62 runs and 41 RBI. He tied for first in the conference in runs and tied for third in the conference in hits.
 
Head Coach Todd Asalon
NKU head coach Todd Asalon enters his 18^th season at the helm of the Norse baseball program. He has a 518-457-1 record at NKU and a 662-549-1 overall record.
 
Taking a look at last season
NKU is coming off a season in which the team went 25-33 and 17-13 in the Horizon League. The Norse finished third in the Horizon League regular season standings and won the program's first NCAA Division I postseason game with an 11-5 victory over Milwaukee in the Horizon League Tournament.
 
Preview for the 2018 season
Norse fans can expect to see many familiar faces, while some new faces will also appear in the lineup. Chad Roberts, a First Team All-Horizon League selection a season ago, anchors down the first base spot. On the opposite end of the diamond, Dominic Mercurio returns to play third base.
 
For the middle infield positions, Cole Heavilin and Nolan Rattai will play shortstop and second base, respectively. TJ Marik will start the season behind the plate. Collin Hohman will back up Marik, and Shane Paradis and Andrew Bacon will also be in the mix for playing time in the infield.
 
In the outfield, Will Haueter takes over in left field, and Mike Moffatt holds down right field. Jake Richmond, who was named to the All-Horizon League First Team a year ago, roams center field.
 
Billy Marion, Jake Miller, Preston Pilat and Brendan Alas will also see playing time in the outfield, and freshman Griffin Doersching will hit in the designated hitter spot.
 
On the mound, Asalon plans to use Nick Beard, Patrick Kelley, Brody Basilone, Kaleb Meeks, and Sam Williams in starting roles. Jordan Menfee, Joe Martin, and Cameron Ross come out of the bullpen, with Ross serving as the closer.
 
Travis Rowland, Andrew Sabrosky, Gunnar Barnard, Matt Ianni, Chris Barber, Cal McAninch and Kyle Service are also in the mix to pitch some innings.
 
For more information on the NKU baseball program, follow the team on Facebook @NKUNorseBSB and Twitter @nkunorsebsb.