Game Notes vs. Ohio State

WASHINGTON - After going 3-2 in its recent homestand, the Georgetown University baseball team hits the road again this weekend for a three-game series against Big Ten opponent Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio. First pitch of Friday's opener is scheduled for 5 p.m., while Saturday will start at 3 p.m. and Sunday's finale will begin at noon.

Live stats and a subscription-based video stream, via BTN Plus, will be available at www.GUHoyas.com.

The Hoyas (5-14), who had their midweek matchup with Navy postponed due to Winter Storm Toby, are coming off of a five-game homestand in which they defeated Coppin State, 16-9, before splitting a four-game series with Princeton. Senior outfielder Austin Shirley (Strafford, Pa./Conestoga) was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll after batting .421 (8-for-19) with a double and two RBIs in the five games, recording a .522 on-base percentage as he also drew three walks and was hit by a pitch. He scored seven runs and was a perfect 4-for-4 in stolen base attempts, making him 7-for-7 on the year to rank second in the BIG EAST. Shirley hit safely in four of the five games, including three multi-hit efforts, and was on base all five at-bats on Wednesday against Coppin State, scoring four runs and stealing three bases.

For the season, Richie O'Reilly (Hermosa Beach, Calif./Loyola HS) leads the Hoyas with a .400 (14-for-35) batting average. Eddie McCabe (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk), who has started all 19 games at shortstop, is batting .356 (26-for-73) with team highs of eight doubles and 15 RBIs. Shirley leads GU with seven stolen bases and 14 runs scored.

Ohio State (14-6) enters this weekend's series on a six-game winning streak, having swept California State University Northridge (CSUN) last weekend. Noah McGowan leads the Buckeyes with a .392 (31-for-79) batting average and has a team-leading five home runs and 27 RBIs. Tyler Cowles is hitting .368 (28-for-76) with two home runs, eight doubles and 21 RBIs. Dominic Canzone is also among the offensive leaders with a.359 (33-for-92) batting average with three home runs and 15 RBIs. As a team, Ohio State is batting .294 with 18 home runs. The pitching staff owns a 4.04 ERA and has a 162-64 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday (5 p.m.)
Georgetown - LHP Jacob Grzebinski (0-0, 6.75 ERA, 12.0 IP, 6 K)
Ohio State - LHP Connor Curlis (3-0, 3.07 ERA, 29.1 IP, 32 K)

Saturday (3 p.m.)
Georgetown - LHP Brent Killam (2-1, 3.18 ERA, 22.2 IP, 24 K)
Ohio State - RHP Ryan Feltner (2-0, 6.26 ERA, 27.1 IP, 30 K)

Sunday (noon)
Georgetown - TBD
Ohio State -- RHP Adam Niemeyer (1-2, 6.45 ERA, 22.1 IP, 22 K)

Following this weekend's series, the Hoyas will return to Shirley Povich Field for a midweek contest against Delaware State. First pitch against the Hornets is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Tuesday. The Blue & Gray will then make its third trip of the season to North Carolina for a three-game set against UNC Greensboro (UNCG) next weekend.