WICHITA, Kan. — After rolling to their best nonconference start to the season since joining Division II, the Newman baseball team looks to keep its momentum rolling as it begins Heartland Conference play this weekend by hosting No. 10 Lubbock Christian.
SCOUTING NEWMAN
The Jets (12-5) sprinted through their first two weekend series of the season, but were pushed by their third opponent, splitting a four-game series against Augustana last weekend. That series, which saw Newman pick up a walk-off home run and an 11-run victory, is the last time the Jets played after this week's midweek game against Emporia State was postponed.
LEADERS
Tyler Bugner, Junior-.525 avg., 20 runs, 4 2B, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 13 BB, .616 OBP, 11-for-11 SB
Garett Thomas, Senior-.373 avg., 13 runs, 4 2B, 6 HR, 22 RBI, .746 slg.
Lucas Norton, Senior-.350 avg., 16 runs, 4 2B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 2 SB
Lucas Schauer, Junior-3-1, 1.50 ERA, 4 CG, 2 shutouts, 30.0 IP, 9 BB, 31 SO
Kane McCarthy, Sophomore-2-1, 3.22 ERA, 2 CG, 1 shutout, 22.1 IP, 8 BB, 18 SO
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
The Chaparrals (13-4) shot out to nine straight wins to start the season before dropping three of four across series against Angelo State and Colorado State-Pueblo. They followed that up with a win against CSU-P in the finale and back-to-back wins over Texas-Permian Basin in nonconference play before suffering an 8-5 loss to NAIA Wayland Baptist on Monday.
LEADERS
Brandon Rix, Junior-.468 avg., 14 runs, 5 2B, 11 RBI, .507 OBP
Hunter McFall, Senior-.422 avg., 19 runs, 4 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 26 RBI, .656 slg., 2 SB
Jaime Bustamante, Junior-.400 avg., 18 runs, 4 2B, 2 3B, 13 RBI, 7 RBI
Guillaume Blanchette, Senior-4-0, 0.79 ERA, 5 app., 3 CG, 1 shutout, 34.0 IP, 4 BB, 32 SO
Glen Warrick, Senior-1-1, 0.87 ERA, 7 app., 1 save, 10.1 IP, 4 BB, 7 SO
NOTES
-Bugner's hot start to his junior year is standing up nationally, as he is top 21 in four different statistical categories. His .525 batting average is 21st, his 31 hits 17th, his .616 on-base percentage 13th and his 11 stolen bases sits 16th.
-Thomas' big week with three home runs and nine RBIs helped earn him the Heartland Conference Hitter of the Week award, and the senior is now 13th in the nation with six homers on the season and 28th in Division II with 22 RBIs.
-The Chaps don't have individuals dotting the national rankings, but the team stats show LCU near the top in numerous categories. Their .353 team batting average is 10th in the country, while they are in the top 35 in doubles (41), scoring (8.2 runs per game), hits (193) and double plays (17).
COVERAGE
Live statistics for all three weekend games, with a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. Friday and a single game finale Saturday at 1 p.m., will be available at www.newmanjets.com.
