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The Purple Eagles of Niagara are making the cross country journey to Provo, Utah to play a 4-game series.
Niagara is 2-11 this season. They will take the field on Thursday on a 5 game losing streak. The Purple Eagles are led by their star infielder Michael Fuhrman. Fuhrman is hitting a red hot .510 through 13 games -- good for 6th nationally. He is tied for the home runs lead on his squad and is 2nd overall in RBIs.
The Cougars are on their best start in team history. After defeating UVU on Tuesday by a score of 6-1, BYU improved its record to 11-1. BYU has been helped by their terrific hitting as a team with a team batting average of .336 -- ranking 10th nationally.
The Cougars starting pitching rotation will once again be led by Michael Rucker. Rucker will be followed by Buffo, then Rogers.
BYU head coach Mike Littlewood has once again left the starter for game 4 to be announced. However, Connor Williams is probably a good bet to be handed the ball on Saturday afternoon.
The Brigham Batters will have a change in their batting order and fielding set up. Last week, against Kansas, 1st baseman/infielder Tanner Chauncey had an injury set back. Chauncey did not play in the series finale or on Tuesday against UVU. Chauncey's injury is costly as he is hitting .421 on the year with 9 runs batter in.
In Chauncey's place will be Nate Favero moving over from 3rd base with freshman Jackson Cluff starting at 3rd.
The games can be watched at Miller Field. Heard on the radio on ESPN 960 AM and BYU Radio -- Sirius XM 143. The games can be watched via streaming at TheW.tv.
BYU's probable starters:
4 game series vs. Niagara | Name | Hand | 2016 record | 2016 ERA | Year |
Game 1: Thursday, March 10, 6:00 MST | Michael Rucker | Right | 2-0 | 3.86 | Junior |
Game 2: Friday, March 4, 3:00 MST | Maverik Buffo | Right | 3-0 | 2.21 | Sophomore |
Game 3: Friday, March 4, 6:00 MST | Hayden Rogers | Left | 1-0 | 3.95 | Sophomore |
Vanquish The Foe's projected starting lineup:
Position | Name | Year | Bats | Throws | 2016 HR | 2016 RBI | 2016 Batting Average |
Catcher | Bronson Larsen | Junior | Right | Right | 2 | 7 | .205 |
1st Base | Nate Favero | Sophomore | Left | Right | 2 | 5 | .385 |
2nd Base | Brennon Anderson | Sophomore | Right | Right | 2 | 17 | .349 |
3rd Base | Jackson Cluff | Freshman | Left | Right | 0 | 5 | .294 |
Shortstop | Hayden Nielsen | Senior | Right | Right | 0 | 6 | .241 |
Left Field | Eric Urry | Senior | Left | Left | 3 | 15 | .277 |
Center Field | Brennon Lund | Junior | Left | Right | 0 | 8 | .453 |
Right Field | Kyle Dean | Freshman | Right | Right | 4 | 8 | .311 |
Designated Hitter | Colton Shaver | Sophomore | Right | Right | 2 | 11 | .412 |