Eastern, 17-12 overall, currently resides in sixth place in the league standings with its 2-4 record, while UT Martin is 10-18 overall and 1-2 in the league, good enough for seventh place in the OVC.

"We expect this to be a very competitive weekend. Our pitching, for the most part, is improving from game to game. We need consistency in this area to be successful in our league," said EKU head coach Jim Ward.

Six Colonels, including five starters, are batting over .300 this season, led by junior third baseman Jason Sharp at .429. He has hit seven home runs, tied for second on the club, and has 22 runs batted in.

Other top EKU hittters include freshman backup catcher Mike Schneider at .400, senior rightfielder Sean Murray, .383 (7 HR's-30 RBI's); junior first baseman Lee Chapman, .336 (8-33); senior second baseman J.D. Bussell, .330 (2-13); and junior designated hitter Adam Basil, .327 (5-22).

Rounding out the Colonels' starting lineup are junior leftfielder Tom White (.259-3-15), junior centerfielder Brad Sizemore (.257-2-11), senior catcher Joe Smith (.255-5-27) and freshman shortstop Kiley Vaughn (.248-1-13).

Eastern's pitching rotation for this weekend will include freshman righhander Chip Albright (5-3, 2.42 ERA) and senior righthander Eric Bess (5-2, 6.18 ERA) who are slated to start Friday's twinbill.

Junior lefthander Corey Eagle, who held Kentucky to one run in six innings in his last appearance and who stands 3-3 on the season, will start Saturday's nine-inning finale against the Skyhawks. Other key members of Eastern's mound corps include junior lefthander Mike Martini (2-0, 4.14 ERA, three saves), redshirt freshman righthander Spencer Boley (2-3, 7.59) and freshman righthander Scott Santa (0-0, 8.28).