| WKU Baseball at Old Dominion | |
| Date | Time | Fri., March 18 (DH) – Sat., March 19 | 3 p.m. CT (DH), 2 p.m. |
| Location | Norfolk, Va. | Bud Metheny Complex |
| Tickets | ODU Ticket Office - 757-683-4444 |
| Listen Live | WKUSports.tv | 1450 AM, 102.7 FM in BG |
| TV/Live Stream | C-USA Digital Network |
| Live Stats | ODUsports.com |
| Game Notes | WKU Game Notes |
| Friday, Game 1 | LHP Austin King (WKU) vs. RHP Sam Sinnen (ODU) |
| Friday, Game 2 | RHP Josh Bartley (WKU) vs. LHP Adam Bainbridge (ODU) |
| Saturday | TBA (WKU) vs. TBA (ODU) |
NORFOLK, Va. – On the opening weekend of conference play, WKU (11-5) travels to Norfolk, Virginia, for its first three Conference USA games of the year at Old Dominion (13-4), with the series starting with a doubleheader on Friday at 3 p.m. CT.
The final game of the weekend is slated for a 2 p.m. CT first pitch from Bud Metheny Complex on Saturday. All three contests will be streamed live on the C-USA Digital Network. Fans can also listen to each fixture on 102.7 FM or 1450 AM in Bowling Green or online at WKUSports.tv.
With some of the hottest bats in the league, WKU will look to continue its recent trend of success in conference-opening series. The Hilltoppers have won seven of their last eight series to open league play, which includes taking two of three against the Monarchs last season at Nick Denes Field. The two teams have split the eight meetings between the two schools and each have a win in the two games played in Norfolk.
Entering the weekend, WKU ranks in the Top 3 in multiple C-USA offensive categories: first in team on-base percentage (.411), second in batting average (.314), runs scored (122) and hits (184) and third in doubles (35). The Hilltoppers have also had clutch hitting in two-out situations, racking up half of their RBI this season with two outs in the inning (54/108).
Pitching has also been improved under first-year head coach John Pawlowski as WKU ranks third in the conference in team earned-run average (3.60) and sixth in strikeouts with 124. Left-handed pitcher Austin King will get the ball for the Hilltoppers in the first of two games on Friday. In his four starts this season, he has a 3.18 ERA to lead WKU to a 3-1 record in those contests. ODU will use RHP Sam Sinnen (1-0, 0.84 ERA) on the mound.
Right-hander Josh Bartley will be the starting pitcher for the Tops in the second game of the doubleheader. Bartley will make his fourth start on the mound for WKU in 2016 as he holds a 3.94 ERA in five total appearances, earning a pair of victories. He will be facing a southpaw from the Monarchs in Adam Bainbridge (1-0, 3.20 ERA). Both teams will announce their Saturday starters closer to game time.
Old Dominion, who is currently receiving votes in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Poll, got off to a fast start this season, winning nine of its first 10 games. Most recently, the Monarchs swept their midweek series against Princeton after dropping two of three to West Virginia. ODU is coached by former Hilltopper skipper Chris Finwood, who guided WKU to back-to-back NCAA Regional appearances in 2008 and 2009.
