Temple University Athletics
Friday, March 25
Cincinnati, Ohio
3:00 p.m.
Temple University
at
Xavier
Photo by: Mitchell Leff
Diamond Owls Open Conference Play At Xavier This Weekend
3.24.11 | Baseball
Temple takes 10-game win streak on the road
Head Coach Rob Valli on KYW Newsradio
PHILADELPHIA - The Temple baseball team may not just be the hottest team in the region, the Owls are batting a scorching .378 as a team to rank first in the nation and will take their 10-game win streak to Xavier this weekend to open Atlantic 10 play (March 25-27). Temple, recording a 13-5 record through non-conference play, will be making consecutive trips to Ohio as the Owls face the Musketeers this weekend and trek back for a stint at Dayton.
The Owls put together a 10-game win streak that ranks third in the nation, gaining much needed momentum heading into a seven-game road trip. Temple's offense has been running on high octane through that run, ranking second nationally in hits (257), third in scoring (10.0 rpg.), third in slugging (.528%), fourth in runs (180) and fourth in doubles per game (2.72 dpg.).
The production of upperclassmen has been key for the Owls, with several veteran performers carrying the team thus far. Senior Ryan Ferguson, who has made starts at catcher, first base and right field, ranks ninth in the nation with 1.44 RBI per game. The Glen Mills, Pa., product ranks second on the team batting .425 (34-80) and is on a 20-game hit streak dating back to last season. He also leads the squad with four homers and 27 RBI.
Redshirt-junior Steve Nikorak has been on fire as of late, improving his batting average to a team-best .440 (33-75) and is currently on an 11-game hit streak. Nikorak, who picked up a trifecta of weekly awards this past week, ranks second on the team in doubles (8) and home runs (3), leading Temple with 28 runs scored.
Senior Adrian Perez, who has made 18 starts at shortstop this season, leads the Owls with nine doubles on .388 hitting (33-85). Senior Byron McKoy ranks third on the team batting .407 (33-81), climbing his way up the Temple all-time hits list now owning 213 to rank sixth in TU history. Next on the list is #5 Sean Barksdale (222, 2007-09).
Temple's starting rotation has been nothing short of dominant as well. Senior Ben White (3-2, 3.97 ERA), the reigning Philadelphia Big 5 Player of the Week, is coming off of a one-hit complete game shutout performance. White, slated for the Friday start this weekend, ranks first on the team in innings pitched (34.0) and is tied with probable Saturday starter junior Brant Norlander for the team lead in strikeouts.
Norlander (2-0, 3.90 ERA), has made five starts in his first season with the Owls, earning a 14-4 win over New York Tech in his last outing. Freshman Matt Hockenberry (2-1) will take the mound to start for Temple on Sunday and is off to a stellar collegiate debut.
Scouting the Musketeers...
Xavier (14-8) has won 13 out of its last 15 contests heading into this weekend. The Musketeers took two out of three from Big East foe and then ranked 19th Louisville last weekend, and are coming off of a win over Wright State and a loss to Kent State this week.
Senior catcher Ryan Bellamy leads the Musketeers batting .441 (30-68) with four doubles and 11 RBI. Senior Josh McCambridge leads Xavier with 35 hits, batting .412 with 18 RBI, while senior Ben Thomas rounds out the .400 hitters, batting .411 with five doubles and a team-best four home runs.
Xavier will be sending redshirt-sophomore righty Tyler Koors out to start on Friday, sophomore lefty Jon Richard out on Saturday and redshirt-freshman Vinny Nittoli on Sunday.
Series History...
Xavier leads the all-time series with a record of 17-11 against the Owls. The teams last competed in 2009, when the Musketeers took two of three from Temple at Skip Wilson Field.
PHILADELPHIA - The Temple baseball team may not just be the hottest team in the region, the Owls are batting a scorching .378 as a team to rank first in the nation and will take their 10-game win streak to Xavier this weekend to open Atlantic 10 play (March 25-27). Temple, recording a 13-5 record through non-conference play, will be making consecutive trips to Ohio as the Owls face the Musketeers this weekend and trek back for a stint at Dayton.
The Owls put together a 10-game win streak that ranks third in the nation, gaining much needed momentum heading into a seven-game road trip. Temple's offense has been running on high octane through that run, ranking second nationally in hits (257), third in scoring (10.0 rpg.), third in slugging (.528%), fourth in runs (180) and fourth in doubles per game (2.72 dpg.).
The production of upperclassmen has been key for the Owls, with several veteran performers carrying the team thus far. Senior Ryan Ferguson, who has made starts at catcher, first base and right field, ranks ninth in the nation with 1.44 RBI per game. The Glen Mills, Pa., product ranks second on the team batting .425 (34-80) and is on a 20-game hit streak dating back to last season. He also leads the squad with four homers and 27 RBI.
Redshirt-junior Steve Nikorak has been on fire as of late, improving his batting average to a team-best .440 (33-75) and is currently on an 11-game hit streak. Nikorak, who picked up a trifecta of weekly awards this past week, ranks second on the team in doubles (8) and home runs (3), leading Temple with 28 runs scored.
Senior Adrian Perez, who has made 18 starts at shortstop this season, leads the Owls with nine doubles on .388 hitting (33-85). Senior Byron McKoy ranks third on the team batting .407 (33-81), climbing his way up the Temple all-time hits list now owning 213 to rank sixth in TU history. Next on the list is #5 Sean Barksdale (222, 2007-09).
Temple's starting rotation has been nothing short of dominant as well. Senior Ben White (3-2, 3.97 ERA), the reigning Philadelphia Big 5 Player of the Week, is coming off of a one-hit complete game shutout performance. White, slated for the Friday start this weekend, ranks first on the team in innings pitched (34.0) and is tied with probable Saturday starter junior Brant Norlander for the team lead in strikeouts.
Norlander (2-0, 3.90 ERA), has made five starts in his first season with the Owls, earning a 14-4 win over New York Tech in his last outing. Freshman Matt Hockenberry (2-1) will take the mound to start for Temple on Sunday and is off to a stellar collegiate debut.
Scouting the Musketeers...
Xavier (14-8) has won 13 out of its last 15 contests heading into this weekend. The Musketeers took two out of three from Big East foe and then ranked 19th Louisville last weekend, and are coming off of a win over Wright State and a loss to Kent State this week.
Senior catcher Ryan Bellamy leads the Musketeers batting .441 (30-68) with four doubles and 11 RBI. Senior Josh McCambridge leads Xavier with 35 hits, batting .412 with 18 RBI, while senior Ben Thomas rounds out the .400 hitters, batting .411 with five doubles and a team-best four home runs.
Xavier will be sending redshirt-sophomore righty Tyler Koors out to start on Friday, sophomore lefty Jon Richard out on Saturday and redshirt-freshman Vinny Nittoli on Sunday.
Series History...
Xavier leads the all-time series with a record of 17-11 against the Owls. The teams last competed in 2009, when the Musketeers took two of three from Temple at Skip Wilson Field.
Temple Men's Basketball | Mic'd Up at Temple Women's Volleyball Game
Friday, September 19
Ep. 4: Temple Athletics Weekly Recap; Men's Soccer Captain Lukas Egarter
Tuesday, September 16
Temple Men's Basketball | Babatunde Durodola Day In The Life
Saturday, September 13
Ep. 3: Temple Volleyball Head Coach Linda Hampton-Keith || Lacrosse Student-Athlete Jenna Facciolli
Friday, September 12
