WINFIELD, Kan.— Coming off a confidence-boosting 4-0 victory over #20 Oklahoma Wesleyan, Southwestern College looks to carry that momentum into a conference showdown against Friends University. The Moundbuilders (3-8, 1-5) are aiming to build consistency after a challenging start to the season.
Southwestern's offense has been led by junior infielder Andrew Brautman, who boasts a .313 batting average with two home runs and 12 RBIs, and junior infielder JJ Cardinal, who is hitting .349 with three doubles and two home runs. Freshman Lucas Knee has also provided a spark, hitting .320 while leading the team with five stolen bases.
On the mound, Southwestern has struggled with an overall team ERA of 10.04, but senior pitcher Micah Cleveland has been a bright spot, logging 16.1 innings with a 6.61 ERA and nine strikeouts. The Moundbuilders will need to rely on their pitching depth to contain a Friends lineup that has shown power at the plate.
Friends University (6-12, 1-7) enters the matchup looking to bounce back after a rough stretch of games. The Falcons are batting .268 as a team, with standout performances from Bernie Socarras (.351 avg, 4 HR, 14 RBIs) and Zeke Henson (.323 avg, 3 HR, 11 RBIs). Pitching has been a concern for Friends as well, as they hold a 6.83 team ERA, making for a potential high-scoring affair.
Southwestern will look to capitalize on Friends' struggles on the mound while tightening up its own pitching and defensive play. First pitch is set for 3:00 PM on the campus of Friends Univirsity .
