Valley play opens for Aces with weekend series against Salukis

 
Previewing the Matchup: Southern Illinois

• The Aces and Salukis renew a long-standing rivalry this weekend with Friday night’s matchup marking the 161st meeting between the two schools as SIU owns a 96-64 advantage in the all-time series.
• A year ago, Evansville and SIU met eight times, doing so in both conference and non-conference play. In the final series of the season between the two, UE and SIU split a four-game set at German American Bank Field.
• SIU enters the weekend with the best record in the MVC, having amassed 21 wins to just eight losses so far this season, coming off a 2-1 series victory over Bradley to open MVC play and a midweek victory over Murray State on Tuesday.
• Evansville’s win over Indiana on Tuesday marked the Aces fourth-straight victory over Power 5 opponents.

Widder’s Hot Streak

• In his third season with the Aces, third baseman Brent Widder has caught fire.
• Over the last five games, Widder is the best hitter on the team, batting .476 with a pair of homers and seven RBI.
• Widder has done his best work at the plate in night games this season where the junior has hit a scorching .591 and reached base 62.5% of the time.

Pitching Coming Around

• Facing some of the top teams in the nation to open the season, Evansville’s pitching staff has settled in and shown its ability as of late.
• In the last five contests, the Aces arms have combined for a 3.72 average with 37 strikes and 24 walks.
• Over the last five games, five pitchers have a sub-2.00 ERA with starters Shane Gray and Shane Harris both falling in that category.