SERIES INFORMATION

When: Friday-Sunday, Feb. 19-21, 2016

Game Times: Friday - 3 p.m. | Saturday - 1 p.m. | Sunday - 12 p.m.

Where: Stephenville, Texas | Cecil Ballow Baseball Complex

Records: Tarleton 5-4, 0-0 LSC | No. 30 Emporia State 4-2, 0-0 MIAA

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THE GAMES
After opening the season 5-4 away from home against eight ranked opponents, Tarleton will make its home debut at the Cecil Ballow Baseball Complex this weekend for a traditional three-game series against No. 30 Emporia State, beginning Friday at 3 p.m.
 
THE OPPONENT
The Hornets are off to a 4-2 start this season, including a three-game streak that included back-to-back shutouts and an 18-6 thumping of Metro State. They are currently second in the MIAA in pitching with a 2.72 ERA and 67 strikeouts in the opening six games against their Rocky Mountain opponents – Colorado State-Pueblo and Metro State.
 
THE SERIES
Tarleton leads the all-time series 1-0 after defeating the Hornets 2-0 at the Winter Invitational at Minute Maid Park in 2013.
 
WELCOME TO OL' CECIL
Tarleton's Cecil Ballow Baseball Complex has a rich history, dating back to 1988 when the park was built to reinstate the Texan Baseball program, and the Texans have a rich history of success on their home diamond. Named after Tarleton Hall of Famer Cecil Ballow, the baseball diamond at Tarleton has seen the Texans amass an overall home record of 474-271-1. Since Bryan Conger took over in 2009, the Texans boast an overall home record of 98-60.
 
TARLETON IN HOME OPENERS
The Texans are 5-2 under Bryan Conger in home-opening games since 2009. In his seven seasons, he has won six home-opening series. In 2013, Tarleton opened at home with a single game against Texas Wesleyan, which Tarleton won.
 
LEADING THE LSC
Tarleton currently boasts the Lone Star Conference leaders in batting average, hits, doubles, and triples. Landon Thompson, who is 7-10 at the plate this season, currently leads the league with a .700 batting average while Landon Merka tops the conference in hits (14) and triples (2). Stacy Heinatz, the reigning LSC Hitter of the Week, is the league leader in doubles with five. From the mound, Callaway Kirkpatrick leads the league with four appearances this season while Trevor Renfro has thrown the most innings of any pitcher in the Lone Star Conference.
 
UP NEXT FOR TARLETON
After this weekend's series, Tarleton will take a weekend off before beginning Lone Star Conference play in Canyon against West Texas A&M on March 4.