Around the Bases
As a freshman pitcher last year, UH left-hander Jerret Sykes excelled for the Cougar baseball team. The lefty led the pitching staff in ERA (4.02) and opponent's batting average at .237. Sykes also pitched 47 innings, had a 3-0 record and finished fourth on the team in starts with seven.
Those numbers were expected to be better this year as he headed into the season as the No. 2 starter. But so far this season, the sophomore has struggled to get on the mound because of pain in his left elbow.
Sykes has not pitched in a game since opening day, Feb. 7, against Washington State.
However, there is a chance he could see his first action in over a month in the Conference USA opener against the Tulane Green Wave this weekend.
"Coach told me to throw in the bullpen the other day," Sykes said. "He just wants me to throw against some of our hitters first and see where my velocity is. If it's fine, I'll probably be in the game this weekend."
With the Cougars winning seven straight and playing their best baseball of the season, Sykes is eager to get back on the field and join his teammates.
"It certainly makes it a lot more exciting when your team is winning," he said. "I wish I could be out there actually helping them win. But if I can't help them physically, hopefully I can help them verbally and emotionally."
C-USA Pitcher of the Week
With a 7-0 complete-game shutout win over New York Tech on Sunday, Tulane senior pitcher Josh Bobbitt made C-USA history.
Bobbitt became the first Green Wave pitcher in 18 years and the first-ever conference pitcher to throw a no-hitter.
In earning his second win of the season, he dominated New York Tech, striking out 16 out of 23 batters and lowering his ERA to 1.88.
Bobbitt also received accolades as Collegiate Baseball's National Player of the Week.
C-USA Hitter of the Week
Southern Miss junior catcher/designated hitter Cliff Wren led the Golden Eagles to a 3-0 record while hitting .625 (10-for-16), last week.
Wren also had three homers, 11 RBIs and 10 runs scored.
The Numbers Game
UAB has won its last six games batting .396 with 20 home runs and 81 RBIs.
Louisville junior second baseman Key Voshell hit .478 last week with four doubles, eight RBIs and a homer. He hit for the cycle Sunday against Kent.
Tulane senior second baseman Mike Pursell became just the eighth player in school history to hit three homers in a game. Pursell homered in three consecutive at-bats in a 10-9 loss to No. 11 LSU.
Red Hot Rios
In its last six games, the Cougars are averaging 11 runs and hitting .367.
The offensive production has been solid from up and down the lineup. After a 1-for-17 start, third baseman Kris Wilken has had 10 hits in his last 25 at bats. Shortstop Shaun Skrehot is hitting .411 in his last four games and first baseman Jayme Sperring is on a seven-game hitting streak.
But no one is hitting the ball as well as designated hitter Bruce Rios. Rios has hit safely in 16-of-17 games this year, including 11 straight. His season totals include a .455 batting average, 25 hits, 23 RBIs, 15 runs scored, five doubles, six homers, an on-base percentage of .531 and a slugging percentage of .873.