GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Cornerstone looks to build on a three game winning streak, as they get set to travel to the east side of the mitten for a three game series vs. Marygrove College this weekend. The Golden Eagles will play a double-header on Friday starting at 1 p.m., followed by a single nine-inning game on Saturday also at 1 p.m.  

Scouting Marygrove
After a 4-4 start in the fall season, a young Marygrove team has struggled under third year head coach Ryan Kottke, going 1-24 in the spring. The overall record for the Mustangs is now 5-28, 4-19 WHAC as they have lost 12 consecutive games. Marygrove's biggest issues have come in their pitching staff, as the Mustangs have given up a conference most 345 runs to opponents this season. Starter Daniel Bailey leads the Marygrove staff with a 6.18 ERA to go along with is 1-7 record. Reliever Kevin Daucher has managed to record a 3-0 record this season in 11.2 IP to go along with an 8.49 ERA. On the offensive side, Marygrove has scored just 129 runs as a team. Raleigh Wilson leads the team in batting average at .340 and RBI with 20, while his teammate Chase Youkin bats .339 and leads in hits with 40. Collectively, Marygrove is notorious for getting themselves into early deficits as they have been outscored 51 to 14 in the first inning of games this year.
 
History vs. the Mustangs
Cornerstone has been perfect against the Mustangs in the two years that they have faced each other going 6-0. Both teams have little experience seeing each other despite being conference opponents, as Marygrove's baseball program is just three years old while Cornerstone's program is in just its fifth year since the restart. This will be the first time that CU has ever played at Marygrove, as all six wins have come at home in the past two years.
 
Last Week Recap
Cornerstone played three huge games last week vs. Siena Heights and did what they needed to do, sweeping the Saints 4-2, 14-4 (in 7), and 16-6 (in 7). The wins help the Golden Eagles rebound from a four game skid and puts their record at 19-23, 11-11 WHAC. CU continues to sit in seventh place in the conference, but with the sweep of Siena Heights, Cornerstone now holds the tie breaker against the Saints that could prove to be crucial in determining the final qualifier for the conference tournament. This week the Golden Eagles will travel to Detroit to take on the struggling Marygrove College Mustangs for a three game series.
 
Offense Back on Track
The Golden Eagles have had a record-breaking year at the plate this season, and that showed once again as they scored 34 runs vs. Siena Heights. CU has now scored 10 or more runs in 11 games this season and recorded a 9-2 record in those games. As a team, the Golden Eagles have scored 257 runs which already smashes the schools previous record of 232 in 2015.
 
Leadoff Success
CU has had a lot of success this season getting base runners early in innings. So far this season, the leadoff hitter has gotten on base 141 times out of 326 attempts. This gives the Golden Eagles a .433 average in getting the first runner on base this season. Cornerstone also records a .504 average in advancing runners to the next base.
 
What's Left
The 2016-17 Cornerstone baseball season is quickly winding down to an end, as the Golden Eagles have just 10 regular season games left to play. The schedule looks very favorable for CU, as they have six games scheduled against the bottom two teams in the WHAC. Cornerstone will also host rival Davenport for the final home series of the year on the final weekend in April.
 
Golden Eagle of the Week
Senior Jonny Abbadusky continues to dominate statistically, and due to his strong performance he was awarded Golden Eagle of the Week. Abbadusky went 8-11 at the plate vs. Siena Heights and stole four bases to help lead the Golden Eagles to a sweep. Abbadusky is now batting .411, making him the only Golden Eagle with an average above .400 while he also leads the team in runs, hits, stolen bases, on base percentage, and total bases.
 
Corsten Takes Over Franchise RBI Lead
After Jon Stewart surpassed the Golden Eagles all-time RBI record with 35 just a few weeks ago, sophomore Joe Corsten has now etched his name in the CU record books, surpassing his teammate with 38 RBI this season. Corsten and Stewart now sit in first and second all-time in RBI for Cornerstone since the restart of the program in 2013, and they still have 10 more regular games to add on to that RBI total. Corsten had seven RBI this weekend vs. Siena Heights to take over the lead. Corsten is batting .289 so far this season and is tied for a team best three homeruns.
 
Herrick's Strong Outing
Junior Alabama A&M transfer Kyle Herrick had yet another strong outing on the mound last time out vs. Siena Heights allowing the opponent just three hits on the game. Herrick has now allowed three or less hits in seven of his 13 appearances for CU this season. Herrick leads the team with 59.0 innings pitched to go along with a 3-4 record and a 5.34 ERA.
 
Baseball Contact: Jesse Campbell 
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