Harding University Athletics

Sterling McMichael

Andrew Fiddler pitched seven innings without allowing an earned run in his last start.

Baseball 2/5/2016 11:22:00 AM by Scott Goode (2/5/16)

Harding Baseball Battles Delta State in Three-Game Road Series

Harding Baseball (1-2) vs. Delta State (0-0)
Feb. 6, 2016 – DH – Noon – Boo Ferriss Field
Feb. 7, 2016 – 1 p.m. – Boo Ferriss Field

HOW TO FOLLOW
Internet:
   Audio: www.HardingSports.com - ***Sunday Only***
    Live Stats: www.HardingSports.com

THE COACHES
Dr. Patrick McGaha, Harding
   at Harding: 290-234 (11th season)
   Career: 409-326 (15th season)
   vs. Delta St.: 4-16
Mike Kinnison, Delta St.
   at DSU: 810-258-2 (20th season)
   Career: same

THE SERIES
Series Record: Delta St. leads 40-7

HARDING'S PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
Andrew Fiddler (SR, RHP) – 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.0 IP, 4 K
Hunter Payne (SR, RHP) – 1-0, 1.80 ERA, 5.0 IP, 2 K
Andrew Ralston (SR, RHP) – 0-1, 3.00 ERA, 6.0 IP, 2 K

WATCH TO WATCH FOR
Harding opened its season with one victory in three games against 11th-ranked St. Edward's last weekend in Searcy. The Bisons won the middle game of the series behind five strong innings from starting pitcher Hunter Payne, who earned Great American Conference Pitcher of the Week honors.
Delta State is playing its first games of the season against Harding. The Statesmen were 25-18 last season and finished second in the Gulf South Conference at 15-10.

KEY STAT
Harding's three starting pitchers against St. Edward's combined for a 1.50 ERA, allowing only three earned runs in 18 innings.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Harding senior Zac Stewart led the Bisons' offense in the first weekend, going 4-for-11 with a run and a double. He also pitched a scoreless inning in relief.

Delta State junior outfielder Jacob Swiney earned first-team All-GSC in 2015. He hit .396 with three home runs and 35 RBI.

FACTS AND FIGURES
Harding led NCAA Division II in fielding percentage (.977) last season and had only two errors in the series against St. Edward's, fielding .983 … Zac Stewart enters the series with a team-best three-game hitting streak … Delta State was hit by a pitch 91 times last season, the second-highest total of an NCAA Division II team.

UP NEXT
Harding hosts Oklahoma Panhandle for a three-game series next Saturday and Sunday.
Delta State plays a single game Tuesday against Arkansas-Monticello.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Andrew Fiddler: P; 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior; R/R

#30 Hunter Payne: P; 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior; R/R

#32 Andrew Ralston: P; 6' 3"; Senior; R/R

#23 Zac Stewart: OF/P; 5' 11"; Redshirt Senior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#12 Andrew Fiddler
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior; R/R
: P

#30 Hunter Payne
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior; R/R
: P

#32 Andrew Ralston
: 6' 3"; Senior; R/R
: P

#23 Zac Stewart
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Senior; R/R
: OF/P