HOUSTON – This weekend, HCU Baseball returns to Husky Field for a series against Northwestern State in the Southland Conference. The action starts on Friday, April 11, at 6:30 p.m., followed by Saturday’s special Alumni Day game at 2:00 p.m. and the final match on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
The Huskies come in strong, boasting a record of 20-11 and sitting at 12-3 in conference play. Recently, they clinched their fifth straight conference series victory against Nicholls, winning two out of three games. After a tough start with a close 5-4 loss, the team rebounded impressively, first with a 6-4 win in a Saturday doubleheader and then closing out the series with a solid 4-2 victory.
At the plate, the Huskies have shown remarkable skill, currently ranking second in the conference with a .321 batting average. They average 7.6 runs per game. Rhett Hendricks is a standout player, hitting .395 with a powerful 1.086 OPS and driving in 15 runs on 17 hits. Parker Edwards isn’t far behind, leading the team with 11 extra-base hits, including five home runs and 19 RBIs. Matthew Leiterman, Jack Walker, and Kenneth Dutka also contribute significantly, all maintaining averages above .350.
On the pitching side, Louis Castano has been exceptional in relief, holding a 1.50 ERA with three wins in six appearances, including one save. He has allowed only two hits in his last 11 innings, striking out 11 batters while walking none. Ben Norton, with four saves and a 2.08 ERA, also impresses. Senior Joshua Caravalho supports the rotation with a strong record as a starter.
Northwestern State enters this series with a record of 20-14 and 12-6 in conference play. Recently, they took two out of three games against UTRGV. The Demons have a .256 team batting average and a .772 OPS. Rocco Gump leads with 22 hits and 14 RBIs, while Braden Benton boasts the highest OPS at 1.228 and leads in walks. Their ability to draw walks and get hit by pitches has contributed to a remarkable .373 team on-base percentage, and they have stolen 34 bases this season, more than any other team in the conference.
Midway through the conference season, the Huskies hold a narrow one-game lead over McNeese and Southeastern, while Northwestern State stands in fifth place at 12-6. Last year, Northwestern State swept the series at home, but HCU managed to take two of three in their previous matchup in Houston in 2023.
After this weekend, HCU heads on the road again to face Texas State in a non-conference game on Tuesday, April 15, at 6:00 p.m. in San Marcos.
As the season heats up, both teams are eager to prove their strength and secure a spot in the conference standings. The passionate support from fans will play a crucial role as they cheer on their teams at Husky Field and beyond.
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