RICHMOND, Ky. - Coach Jim Ward's Eastern Kentucky University baseball team heads to Morehead State University for an important three-game series with the Eagles this weekend. The two teams play a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader Saturday at MSU's Sonny Allen Field and a single game Sunday, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

EKU goes to MSU in first place in the Ohio Valley Conference with its 8-1 OVC mark, having taken two of three last weekend from Murray State. In fact, Eastern, nor Morehead State, have played since their conference series last Sunday.

"It will be interesting to see how both teams react after the five-day layoff from real game action," said Ward. "I know on our end, it has given us a little more chance to rest three injured players."

The injured Colonels include senior second baseman Adam Basil who has a badly-bruised knee from a slide into third base last weekend in the Murray State series; true freshman designated hitter Adam Crowder, hairline fracture of his right thumb; and redshirt freshman catcher Tim Booghier, sprained left thumb.

"These are the first injuries we've had all spring to speak of, and it is a concern for this weekend. We need to be at full strength when we go up there," said Ward. "This has always been a very spirited series and we expect a lot of enthusiasm from both sides this weekend."

Basil leads the Colonels with his .484 batting average, three home runs and 29 RBI's. Crowder is hitting .421 in limited duty, while regular shortstop Kiley Vaughn has continued his excellent sophomore season at .351.

Pitching has been the key to "probably our best ever OVC start", according to Ward, as the Colonel pitching staff already owns seven complete games and has a very respectable 4.66 team ERA for the season, as EKU stands 13-15 overall.

"We were extremely pleased with the fact that our staff gave up just six runs last weekend in three games," said Ward. "Corey (Eagle, complete game, 12-strikeout performance in Sunday's 7-2 win over Murray State) and Spencer (Boley, in relief in Saturday's second game) were particularly effective."

Boley leads the staff in ERA at 2.16 and has a 1-0 record. The rotation for this weekend will be: Saturday, sophomore righthander Chip Albright (4-2, 5.51 ERA) and sophomore righthander Scott Santa (2-2, 3.43 ERA); and Sunday, Eagle, a senior lefty, 4-4, 4.61 ERA.