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Heading into the final series of the regular season against Marshall, the Houston Cougar baseball team is in a tough situation.

With a record of 31-21 and 11-10 in Conference USA play, the Cougars need a series win against the Thundering Herd in the worst way.

In the annual Silver Glove Series, the Cougars were swept by the Rice Owls and outscored by a 33-13 margin. The Owls roughed up the Cougar pitching staff and looked like the more talented and mentally prepared team all throughout the weekend.

The Cougars got a small amount of redemption on Tuesday when they run-ruled the Southland Conference champion Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners 14-4. What made the win even more special was that it was on the road and UTSA had handed the Cougars an 11-9 loss two weeks prior at home.

On Senior Weekend, Houston is led offensive by two of its seniors: 3B Bryan Pounds (.370, 8 HR, 54 RBI) and LF Jake Stewart (.366, 13 HR,) 45 RBI). Not to be overlooked though is 2B Ryan Lormand (.327, 4 HR, 48 RBI) who also had a team leading 26 stolen bases. Finally RF Bryan Tully (.273, 3 HR, 20 RBI) has been on a hot streak as of late.

The pitching has been a little harder to come by than the offense lately. Previously the staff ace, sophomore LHP Wes Musick (7-4, 4.32 ERA) has not put together a good outing since facing Tulane over a month ago. Musick will take the hill for the Cougars on Thursday night. Going in the opposite direction is the Friday starter: sophomore John Touchton (4-3, 3.83 ERA), who seems to get better each time he takes the mound. The Cougar coaching staff has not announced a starter yet for Saturday’s game. Expect sophomore LHP Donnie Joseph (1-1, 5.73 ERA), freshman RHP Jared Ray (2-2, 7.62 ERA) or senior RHP Bryan Tully (3-3, 6.34 ERA) to take the hill on Saturday.

The visiting Herd bring in a very potent offensive team, led by junior OF Nate Lape (.379, 14 HR, 52 RBI). Lape transferred to Marshall from the powerhouse UNC-Chapel Hill baseball program. Also freshman 1B Victor Gomez (.376, 10 HR, 42 RBI) can bring the power. Like the Cougars though, the ‘Herd lack any kind of depth on their pitching staff. Also worth noting are junior SS Adam Yeager’s 36 stolen bases this season. On Thursday night, junior RHP and Cincinnati transfer Steve Blevins (8-2, 4.44 ERA) will take the hill for MU. On Friday the ‘Herd will throw sophomore RHP Dan Straily (4-3, 4.72 ERA). The ‘Herd coaching staff has yet to announce a starting pitcher for the Saturday finale.

In head coach Mark Waggoners second season at MU, the ‘Herd baseball program is quickly moving up the ladder in Conference USA. They currently sit with a 10-10-1 record in CUSA and a 26-25-1 overall record. If they win this series against the Cougars, they could secure the first above .500 season in program history.

Right now with their RPI at #48 and a conference record around .500, the Cougars can ill-afford to move further toward the bubble with a series loss to Marshall.

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