GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Due to feels like temperatures being below freezing, the Golden Eagles will return to De Witt field to host Aquinas a day earlier than expected. As of now, Cornerstone will play a single nine-inning game on Thursday at 4 p.m. followed by a double-header on Friday starting at 1 p.m. Stay tuned at cugoldeneagles.com for updates on potential further weather delays or changes in start times.
Opponent: Aquinas
Dates: Thursday, March 22 & Friday, March 23 (DH)
Times: Thursday – 4 p.m. Friday – 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich. (De Witt Field)
Internet Coverage: Live Video/Audio/Stats
Scouting Aquinas
The Saints hold a 10-15 overall record, going 2-7 in conference play so far this season. AQ earned their first two conference wins last weekend, defeating first year baseball program UM-Dearborn in two out of three games in Wyoming, Michigan. Pitching has been a struggle for Aquinas, as they have allowed 10+ runs in nine of their 25 games this season. Starter Max Ludka has been the best pitcher so far for the Saints, with a team best 3.78 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 33.1 innings pitched. Offensively junior infielder Mitchell Weber has been the best player for the Saints, hitting .435 on the year with two home runs and 26 RBI. Weber is new to the WHAC this season, transferring to Aquinas from Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Michigan.
History vs. AQ
The Golden Eagles and Saints have had some great series matchups over the years, as CU is 10-10 all-time since the restart of the program in 2013. Cornerstone has won five of the last seven games against Aquinas, winning two out of three in March of 2017.
Offensive Struggles
The Golden Eagles offense has fallen flat in the past few games, scoring under four runs in each of the past six games. CU has gone 1-5 in those six games, and now holds a season team batting average of .275 on the year.
Getting Ground Balls
Cornerstone has been one of the best in the country in getting ground balls this season, ranking third in the NAIA with 10.8 assists per game. The infield duo of
Aaron Krupansky and
Jon Stewart have combined for 129 assists so far this season, while the team has tallied 15 ground ball double plays. Of the 15 ground ball double plays, nine of them have involved both Stewart and Krupansky getting an assist.
First Career Dinger
Cornerstone junior
Aaron Krupansky recorded his first career home run at Indiana Tech this weekend hitting a shot over the left field fence. The home run served as the first run of game one at Indiana Tech tying the game in the fifth inning. Krupansky had a great weekend overall at the Warriors, going 4-10 at the plate with three RBI and one run scored.
Strong Outings
A pair of seniors in
Kyle Herrick and
Collin Young recorded strong outings on the mound this past week, as Herrick gave up just one earned run in six innings pitched while Young gave up three earned runs in 5.1 innings pitched. Herrick and Young have combined to record six of the Golden Eagles 12 wins so far this season.
Zeiger's Stat Line
Junior
Gabe Zeiger continues to lead Cornerstone in a multitude of statistical categories in his first season as a starter, holding a team best .366 batting average, .500 slugging percentage, three triples, and 41 total bases. Zeiger went 1-4 at the plate in the final game this weekend against Indiana Tech, while serving as a pinch runner in each of the first two games.
