G39-40: SBU BEARCATS (8-30, 6-24 MIAA)
vs ROCKHURST HAWKS (17-17, 7-11 GLVC)
TUESDAY, APRIL 13 • 2:00 PM
DODSON FIELD • BOLIVAR, MO

G41-44: SBU BEARCATS
vs TRUMAN STATE BULLDOGS (8-27, 5-21 MIAA)
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 16-17 • 1 PM/12 PM
DODSON FIELD • BOLIVAR, MO

SBU NOTES

BOLIVAR, Mo. –  After a non-conference win against Lincoln, and a trip to Maryville in which they went 1-3 against Northwest Missouri, the SBU Bearcats have a chance to improve on last season's record with a doubleheader against the Rockhurst Hawks, followed by a four-game series against Truman State. The Bearcats were just three runs short of taking the series against the green Bearcats, falling 5-3 and 4-3 in two of the four matchups.

After his home run in the win against Northwest Missouri, Paden Grubbs is looking at a potentially historic season. The junior left fielder leads the Bearcats with 11 home runs, the most for any SBU hitter since Kevin Miller knocked 11 out of the park in 2005. With two more long balls, Paden will tie the school single-season record of 13, currently held by Rodney Noel back in 1987. With 14 doubles, Grubbs is also within reach of SBU's record of 18 two-baggers in a season, set by Jarod Olson in 1998.

Infielder Nigel Morton has been a key addition throughout the season for the Bearcats. The junior from Fairbanks, Alaska is currently hitting .351 with 13 RBI and eight stolen bases, tied for the team high. Morton has been one of SBU's most consistent hitters, and have gotten a hit in 13 of the last 15 games. Justin Barnhart enjoyed one of his stretches last week, hitting .350 in the five games against Lincoln and Northwest Missouri. Barnhart drove in six RBI against the Blue Tigers, matching the conference best this year.
 
THE COACHES AND SERIES HISTORY 
Bearcat head coach Sam Berg is in his 11th season with SBU. Berg earned his 150th victory at SBU earlier this year. During his time in Bolivar, Berg has seen his program produce 24 All-MIAA awards, and two NCAA All-Region winners.

Gary Burns was named head coach of the Rockhurst baseball program when it was restarted before the 1994 season. Over the 16 seasons since then, Burns has led the Hawks to a 517-344 record, and a 17-17 mark this year.

In his fourth season, Truman head coach Dan Davis has been developing a program that has shown steady improvement during his time in Kirksville. Truman broke school records for hits, doubles, fielding percentage, and its pitching staff set a new strikeout mark.

Rockhurst leads the series with SBU since 2000, 4-18. The Bearcats have managed to earn season splits with the Hawks the last two seasons. Truman leads 17-15 over SBU since 2000, as they took three of four last season.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Rockhurst is looking to turn the ship around after a four-game sweep at the hands of Southern Indiana, dropping them to .500 on the year. Ryan Porter leads the Hawks' offense, hitting .390 with four home runs and 26 RBI. Chad Hatcher and Brandon Tangney each have posted .369 averages with a home run apiece.

The Truman Bulldogs currently sit in last place in the MIAA standings, having lost their last seven games. Ryan Timble is the ace of the Bulldogs staff, going 4-3 with a 4.13 ERA. Truman's offense can come from a number of different players, with five different Bulldogs hitting above .300. Keaton Jones will bring in a seven game hitting streak, but Jones, who is hitting .259, has gotten two or more hits in a game only once this season.

NEXT UP FOR THE BEARCATS
With just two weeks left in the regular season, SBU looks to make one final push towards the MIAA Tournament. After the four-game set with Truman, The Bearcats will travel to Warrensburg to take on nationally-ranked Central Missouri for a doubleheader. The 'Cats split with the Mules earlier this season, winning a 12-11 thriller in Bolivar. After that rematch, SBU will host NAIA member Ottawa (Kan.) for a pair of games on Saturday, April 24.