RICHMOND, Ky. -- Coach Jim Ward's Eastern Kentucky University Colonel baseball team travels to Morehead State University for a three-game Ohio Valley Conference set this weekend. EKU and the Eagles play a twinbill Saturday and a nine-inning game Sunday.

EKU comes into the game on a down note, having lost five straight games, including last weekend's three-game series with Murray State. Overall, the Colonels stand 16-20-1, while in conference play, EKU is 7-8, tied for fifth place with Morehead State.

Ward said it is not time to panic, although each league game from here on out takes on added importance as league teams try and make the six-team OVC Tournament field.

"We're just going to try and take it one weekend at a time and do the best we can, " said Ward. "This team has played well at times, but it is just a matter of how we perform on the field now."

EKU will be regaining the services of senior centerfielder Jeff Wellman who has missed the last four games. His absence caused a defensive change in the outfield and Ward is glad he is coming back this weekend.

"We're going to put Jeff out there and hope he holds up, " Ward said.

However, sophomore righthander Shawn Thacker, who was making a comeback from shoulder surgery from last spring, has reinjured his pitching arm and is out for the season. He was 3-1 on the season this spring.

"This was a new tear in the shoulder, " Ward said. "He's definitely through for the year and possibly for his career."

Pitching this weekend for the Colonels will be junior righthander Eric Bess (5-3, 6.90 ERA) and sophomore lefthander Corey Eagle (2-4, 4.88 ERA) in the two seven-inning games Saturday. Junior righthander Jason Estep (1-2, 7.79 ERA) will go in Sunday's contest.

Although pitching and fielding woes have hit the Colonel team in the past week, the Colonel bats have still been making good contact. Eastern is batting .320 on the season and has hit 53 home runs.

Hitting stars for EKU include junior rightfielder Sean Murray (.420, nine HR's, 27 RBI's); sophomore designated hitter Matt Mason (.371, 11 HR's, 45 RBI's); sophomore shortstop Jason Sharp (.365, 6 HR's, 25 RBI's); sophomore leftfielder Brad Sizemore (.352-5-27); and sophomore second baseman Adam Basil (.320-8-24).

Rounding out the Colonel starters are sophomore first baseman Lee Chapman (.298-6-27); junior third baseman J.D. Bussell (.292-1-11); junior catcher Joe Smith (.291-4-22); and Wellman (.221-2-19).

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