#13 DBU (13-3) vs. Texas A&M – Corpus Christi (10-10)
March 15-17 | Dallas, TX | Horner Ballpark

DBU GAME NOTES (PDF)

MULTIMEDIA COVERAGE
Live Video: ESPN+
Live Audio: Patriot Broadcasting Network
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast
Twitter: @DBU_Baseball
Facebook: DBU Baseball
 
DBU BASEBALL ON THE AIR
Patriot fans can catch this weekend's series versus Texas A&M – Corpus Christi and all DBU Baseball home games on ESPN+. The broadcast team of Reagan Ratcliff and Brendan Smith, who are in their 13th season together on air, will be on the call. An audio-only broadcast version is also available on the Patriot Broadcasting Network site at www.dbupatriots.com/baseball.

PROBABLE STARTERS 
Friday
DBU – RHP Ryan Johnson (2-0 W-L, 2.77 ERA, 26.0 IP, 3 BB, 42 K)
vs.
TAMCC – RHP Matthew Watson (1-1 W-L, 3.68 ERA, 22.0 IP, 6 BB, 33 K)

Saturday
DBU – RHP Jaron DeBerry (1-0 W-L, 4.43 ERA, 20.1 IP, 7 BB, 21 K)
vs.
TAMCC – RHP Riely Hunsaker (2-1 W-L, 2.63 ERA, 24.0 IP, 9 BB, 17 K)
 
Sunday
DBU – RHP Luke Pettitte (1-0 W-L, 3.18 ERA, 11.1 IP, 3 BB 12 K)
Vs.
TAMCC – LHP Zach Garcia (1-0 W-L, 1.93 ERA, 23.1 IP, 8 BB, 21 K)
 
PATRIOT STORYLINES
- DBU is coming off a 9-6 loss to #9 TCU on Tuesday night in front of the largest regular-season crowd in Horner Ballpark history (2,213).
- The Patriots' 13-3 record is the second-best start through 16 games in DBU's Division I era. Only the 2015 team, who won 18 of their first 20 games, has had a better start.
- DBU's offense is currently ranked in the top 25 nationally in four categories, including #13 in home runs (33) and home runs per game (2.06), #21 in hits (182), and #23 in slugging % (.563).
- Entering the week, the Patriots were ranked in the Top 25 in all four major polls: #13 Perfect Game, #18 NCBWA, #19 D1Baseball, and #20 Baseball America.
- Ethan Mann has reached base safely in his 34 consecutive games, a streak that dates back to May 5, 2023, versus Middle Tennessee.
- On the mound, the Patriots rank 22nd nationally per nine innings (11.0). DBU ace Ryan Johnson's 42 strikeouts are third-most in the country.
- DBU boasts the nation's No. 8 fielding % (.986). Luke Heefner (SS) and Chayton Krauss (3B) have not committed an error in 128 chances.
- Grant Jay cracked the top 10 for most home runs in the Patriots' Division I era with his 30th career home run last Sunday. Jay's nine home runs are currently fourth-most in the nation.
- DBU leads Conference USA in stolen bases (30). The Patriots have successfully stolen 30-of-33 bases this year. Luke Heefner and Alex Pendergast lead DBU with six stolen bases apiece.
- The Patriots have won all three of their series in 2024 and have yet to lose a game on Friday and Sunday.

SCOUTING TEXAS A&M – CORPUS CHRISTI
- Texas A&M – Corpus Christi enters this weekend with a 10-10 overall record for the season. Most recently, the Islanders competed in the South Texas Showdown, losing on Tuesday to UTRGV and defeating the University of Houston – Victoria on Wednesday.
- Sebastian Trinidad and Garrett Gruell highlight the Islanders' offense. Trinidad has a .369 batting average and 14 RBI, while Gruell has 11 RBI and three home runs in 2024.
- Corpus Christi ace Matthew Watson enters this series with a 3.68 ERA and 1.09 WHIP this season. Saturday and Sunday starters Riely Hunsaker and Zach Garcia have been dominant as well. Hunsaker comes in with a 2.63 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP, with Garcia earning a 1.93 ERA and 1.07 WHIP.
- The Islanders rank third nationally in double plays (21) and 18th nationally in double plays per game (1.05).
- Offensively, Corpus Christi is hitting .282 as a club, and rank 24th in the nation in stolen bases (34). They have hit 10 home runs as a team in 20 games.

SERIES HISTORY 
- The Patriots lead the all-time series over the Islanders, 10-6.
- DBU and Texas A&M – Corpus Christi have not met since 2013, when the Islanders swept a three-game series from the Patriots.

ON DECK
DBU travels to Norman to face Oklahoma for the second time this season. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 pm at L. Dale Mitchell Baseball Park.