Sun Belt Conference Baseball: Weekend Preview

Five big series’ highlight the fifth weekend of Sun Belt Conference baseball play this week.

After four weekends of play, Louisiana is 11-1, while Arkansas St. is 8-4, Texas St. is 7-5, WKU and UT-Arlington are both 6-6, South Alabama is 5-6, ULM is 5-7, Troy is 4-7, Georgia St. is 4-8, and UALR is 3-9.

Let’s take a look at the respective conference series’ schedule for this weekend, with statistics entering play earlier in the week:

UALR (13-16, 3-9) at #1 LOUISIANA (31-4, 11-1)

Offensively, Louisiana ranks first in the league in almost every category, including hitting (.326), runs scored (287), home runs (43), and stolen bases (53).

The Cajuns have four of the top ten hitters in the conference, including Caleb Adams, who leads the way (.402), Jace Conrad (.381), who ranks second, and who is also tied for second in RBI's (37) with teammate Seth Harrison, who is fourth in hitting (.366), and Ryan Leonards (.343), who ranks tenth.

ULAR, who is currently hitting a .259, good enough for seventh in the league, is paced by Ben Crumptonl, who is 11th, overall, hitting a .339, along with three home runs and 15 RBI's.

In terms of pitching, Louisiana ranks first, with a 3.15 team ERA., and is way above UALR, who is currently second, at a 3.42.

The Cajuns feature right-hander Carson Baranik, who ranks second in the league in ERA. (2.65), and Austin Robichaux, who ranks sixth (2.92).

UALR features sophomore right-hander Chad Bradford and junior right-hander Cameron Allen who rank ninth and tenth in the league, respectively, with ERA's of 3.41 and 3.60.

Louisiana, who has won 31 of their last 34, and the fact that they rank first in the league in pitching, hitting, and second in fielding are big reasons why

Game times are scheduled for 6 pm, 6 pm, and 1 pm (cdt), Friday-Sunday.

ARKANSAS ST. (18-15, 8-4) at SOUTH ALABAMA (16-16, 5-6)

Arkansas St. dropped a series to WKU last week, while South Alabama won two-of-three from Texas St., and this one looks to be interesting, with both teams looking to finish in the upper-half of the league.

Offensively, Arkansas St. ranks fifth in hitting (.278), while South Alabama ranks in ninth (.237).

Pitching-wise the Red Wolves rank seventh in ERA. (4.28), while the Jaguars currently rank fourth (3.71).

Game times are set for 6:30 pm, 6:30 pm, and 1 pm (cdt) Friday-Sunday

TEXAS ST. (18-14, 7-5) at ULM (14-20, 5-7)

Texas St., only one game games behind second-place Arkansas St., will be looking to continue their hot start, while ULM will be trying to begin a consistent stretch of baseball.

In the hitting department, ULM ranks last (.231), with Texas St. two spots ahead, in eighth (.243).

In terms of pitching, the Warhawks currently rank last as a team (4.92), while the Bobcats rank third (3.67).

Scheduled game times are 6 pm (cdt) on Friday, 6 pm on Saturday, and 1 pm on Sunday.

UT-ARLINGTON (14-18, 6-6) at GEORGIA ST. (16-18, 4-8)

This is a key series for both schools, who are in the middle of the pack. UT-Arlington is only two games out of second place, and Georgia St. is only two games out of fourth place.

Georgia ranks in hitting (.299) and ninth in pitching (5.74 ERA.), while UT-Arlington ranks third in hitting (.293) and sixth in pitching (4.24).

Game times are set for 5 pm, 1 pm, and noon (cdt), Friday-Sunday.

WKU (18-15, 6-6) at TROY (16-17, 4-7)

As is the case in every series this weekend, this one is important, with WKU looking to make up some ground on the teams above them, and Troy looking to jump-start their seasons.

Offensively, WKU ranks fourth in hitting (.284), while Troy is hitting a .263, which ranks them sixth.

In the pitching category, the Hilltoppers are currently eighth (4.78 ERA.), while the Trojans rank fifth (4.23).

Game times for the series are 6 pm (cdt) on Friday, 6 pm on Saturday, and 1 pm on Sunday.