Thursday, March 30, 2006

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 30, 2006) - ETSU and the Belmont Bruins will get together for the first time since the 2001 season Friday evening at Cardinal Park.  The two clubs will begin a three-game set in what will now be an annual meeting as members of the Atlantic Sun Conference.  First pitch of Friday's game is set for 7 p.m. with game two to follow on Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sunday's series finale is scheduled for a 1 p.m. first pitch.

The Bucs have won six of their last eight to improve to 17-10 on the year, and 6-3 in conference play.  On Wednesday evening ETSU scored its first victory over state-rival Tennessee since 1999 with a come from behind 9-8 win.  Belmont snapped a five-game skid with a 10-9 triumph over Tennessee Tech Tuesday evening to improve to 11-14.  Gardner-Webb swept the Bruins last weekend, dropping them to 2-7 in the A-Sun and into last place in the conference standings.

ETSU sends lefty Ryan Howe (Spartanburg, S.C.) to the mound for the series opener.  The junior transfer is 2-1 on the season with a team-low 3.80 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 42 2/3 innings pitched.  The Bruins will counter with junior righty Charles Lee.  Lee is 2-4 in 2006 with a 3.38 ERA and 32 K's in 45 1/3 innings pitched.

Fans can listen to games one and two through the internet and locally on 910 AM with "Voice of the Bucs" Jay Sandos calling all the action.  Sunday's game three will be available via internet broadcast only.  Each broadcast will begin 30 minutes prior to the first pitch with the Tony Skole Dugout Show.

For complete notes on this weekend's series, click the link provided at the top of the page.