Whether or not back-to-back wins will help Georgia Southern gain momentum remains to be seen, but in the meantime Rodney Hennon wants his team to play with more confidence.
“We’ve got to play to win — that’s the bottom line,” said Hennon, whose team hosts a key Southern Conference series against league-leading Charleston beginning tonight at 7. “Our kids have got to expect to win and play with a reckless abandon.”
The Eagles (19-18, 2-7 Southern Conference) are looking to regain their early season form and are encouraged by wins in their last two games after dropping nine of 10. They’ll have to put together three solid ballgames to compete with the Cougars (25-8, 8-1), who lead the conference in batting and earned run average (.344, 3.96).
The Cougars have won six straight since falling at Wofford on March 31, their only conference loss.
“As far as expecting to win, that’s kind of their attitude,” Hennon said of the Cougars, who have made three straight NCAA Regional appearances. “They’ve had a little bit of that edge within the league the last couple of years.
“Right now, with our team, our backs are against the wall, and we’ve got to find that edge. This is a weekend where we can do those things that might jumpstart us here down the stretch.”
The Eagles had a promising start to the season but hit a tough stretch when they opened league play last month. GSU’s pitching staff — thanks to a much improved bullpen — owns the second-lowest ERA in the league, 4.57.
Relievers Burt Barto, David Cogswell and A.J. Battisto are coming off a strong performance after combining for six shutout innings Tuesday. The Eagles are batting .297 as a team, which ranks seventh in the league.
“We’ve got to keep our pitching where it is — it’s been our savior lately,” said senior outfielder Mike Economos. “As far as hitting, we just need to start getting runners in. I think people have been pressing a little bit trying to get back on track.”
Charleston is ranked in the nation’s Top 10 in batting average, scoring, doubles, triples and slugging percentage. The 27th-ranked Cougars have six starters hitting .340 or better, led by junior outfielder Stuart Haywood at .417. Charleston’s starting pitchers have combined for a 15-2 record and a 3.55 ERA.
“They are going to be good in all phases of the game, especially pitching,” Economos said. “We’ve got to bring our A-game, that’s for sure. We can beat them. We can beat everyone in this league. Hopefully we can get back on track versus Charleston and start playing like we were at the beginning of the year.”
Saturday’s and Sunday’s game will begin at 1:30 p.m.
Clements Crazies
tailgate Saturday
The annual Clements Crazies tailgate will begin Saturday at noon between Iron Works and the Parrish Football Building, adjacent to J.I. Clements. The tailgate, which will offer free food and drinks for everyone, is sponsored by Southern Boosters, Ranco Tents and Heritage Bank.
GUS the Eagle mascot and the GSU cheerleaders will be on hand, and football season tickets will be available for purchase. Call Southern Boosters for more information (912) 681-5520.
All three games will be sponsored by Dominos, which will give out coozies Friday, beach balls Saturday and pizza Sunday.
“We’ve got to play to win — that’s the bottom line,” said Hennon, whose team hosts a key Southern Conference series against league-leading Charleston beginning tonight at 7. “Our kids have got to expect to win and play with a reckless abandon.”
The Eagles (19-18, 2-7 Southern Conference) are looking to regain their early season form and are encouraged by wins in their last two games after dropping nine of 10. They’ll have to put together three solid ballgames to compete with the Cougars (25-8, 8-1), who lead the conference in batting and earned run average (.344, 3.96).
The Cougars have won six straight since falling at Wofford on March 31, their only conference loss.
“As far as expecting to win, that’s kind of their attitude,” Hennon said of the Cougars, who have made three straight NCAA Regional appearances. “They’ve had a little bit of that edge within the league the last couple of years.
“Right now, with our team, our backs are against the wall, and we’ve got to find that edge. This is a weekend where we can do those things that might jumpstart us here down the stretch.”
The Eagles had a promising start to the season but hit a tough stretch when they opened league play last month. GSU’s pitching staff — thanks to a much improved bullpen — owns the second-lowest ERA in the league, 4.57.
Relievers Burt Barto, David Cogswell and A.J. Battisto are coming off a strong performance after combining for six shutout innings Tuesday. The Eagles are batting .297 as a team, which ranks seventh in the league.
“We’ve got to keep our pitching where it is — it’s been our savior lately,” said senior outfielder Mike Economos. “As far as hitting, we just need to start getting runners in. I think people have been pressing a little bit trying to get back on track.”
Charleston is ranked in the nation’s Top 10 in batting average, scoring, doubles, triples and slugging percentage. The 27th-ranked Cougars have six starters hitting .340 or better, led by junior outfielder Stuart Haywood at .417. Charleston’s starting pitchers have combined for a 15-2 record and a 3.55 ERA.
“They are going to be good in all phases of the game, especially pitching,” Economos said. “We’ve got to bring our A-game, that’s for sure. We can beat them. We can beat everyone in this league. Hopefully we can get back on track versus Charleston and start playing like we were at the beginning of the year.”
Saturday’s and Sunday’s game will begin at 1:30 p.m.
Clements Crazies
tailgate Saturday
The annual Clements Crazies tailgate will begin Saturday at noon between Iron Works and the Parrish Football Building, adjacent to J.I. Clements. The tailgate, which will offer free food and drinks for everyone, is sponsored by Southern Boosters, Ranco Tents and Heritage Bank.
GUS the Eagle mascot and the GSU cheerleaders will be on hand, and football season tickets will be available for purchase. Call Southern Boosters for more information (912) 681-5520.
All three games will be sponsored by Dominos, which will give out coozies Friday, beach balls Saturday and pizza Sunday.
