The Braves moved to 13-3 overall and 5-1 in the KCAC with victories over Kansas Wesleyan University and non-conference opponent Missouri Valley College. Ottawa took the series versus KWU 2-1, winning game one (16-7) and game two (6-2) but falling 10-7 in game three. The Braves lost 8-6 to MVC but rebounded to take an 18-4 victory in game two.
Ottawa University senior infielder,
Dylan Garcia, was named KCAC Player of the Week for his efforts in OU's first two games of the KWU series. Garcia hit .571 (4-for-7), scored three runs, hit one double and a home run, drove in two runs, had a 1.143 slugging percentage, walked once, had a .625 on base percentage, and was 2-for-2 in stolen bases.
OU has scored 143 runs and hit 26 home runs. They have a .316 batting average, a .444 on base percentage, and a .568 slugging percentage.
Ottawa is ranked 20th in the NAIA in runs scored (143), 31st in hits (144), 25th in doubles (31), 49th in triples (3), sixth in home runs (26), 21st in RBI (122), 12th in extra base hits (60), 20th in total bases (259), 28th in walks (86), 44th in hit by pitch (24), 14th in sacrifice hits (10), fourth in stolen bases (68), third in caught stealing (15), 46th in batting average (316), 32nd in on base percentage (.444), 12th in slugging percentage (.568), 50th in WHIP (1.50), and 32nd in opponent batting average (.239).
Dylan Garcia leads the Braves in batting average (.444).
Jesus Rodriguez and
Nicholas Sizemore are OU's leaders in RBI (16).
Jeremy Freeman, Jr. is the Braves' leader in stolen bases (16).
Zack Melendez leads the team in ERA (2.66) and strike outs (29).
Ottawa has a record of 20-37-1 against Avila University. The Eagles swept the series last season, defeating OU 8-3 in game one, 7-6 in 10 innings in game two, and 6-0 in game three at The Z. This will be the first time that all three games of the conference series will be played at Alumni Park. The first ever double-header played between the two teams happened on March 20, 1990 at Orlis Cox in Ottawa. The Braves fell 10-5 and 6-3 to the Eagles.
Avila University has an overall record of 5-7 and a KCAC mark of 2-2. The Eagles have a road mark of 3-4 and enter Friday's game coming off a home loss to the University of Saint Mary 6-4 on February 25.
In the Eagles first KCAC, three game, series, this season they won the series 2-1 against Bethany. Avila fell in game one, 9-4 but took the double header 4-2, 2-1 against the Swedes in Lindsborg on Feb. 23 and Feb. 24.
Avila has scored 81 runs and hit six home runs this season. The Eagles have a .288 batting average, a .415 on base percentage, and a .421 slugging percentage.
Zach Dillman leads Avila in batting average (.435) and RBI (14). Landon Vahle is the team's leader in stolen bases (5). Cashen Schranz is the Eagles' leader in ERA (2.51). Logan Empson and Antonio Villalobos lead Avila in strike outs (10).
Avila is ranked 30th in the NAIA in triples (4), 30th in hit by pitch (27), 47th in hit into a double play (8), 30th in caught stealing (8), 29th in shut outs (1), and 46th in opponent batting average (.254).
