Baseball Sets Sights on Wofford this Weekend

Matchup	Merrimack (5-3) at Wofford (7-2)
Dates//Times	Feb. 28-Mar. 1 // 6 p.m. (Fri) | 2 p.m. (Sat) | 1 p.m. (Sun)
Venue	Russell C. King Field // Spartanburg, S.C.
Gameday Links	Live Stats // Watch (FRI.) (SAT.) (SUN.) // Twitter // Instagram

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College baseball team continued to build upon its first Division I season with an impressive output against BIG10 foe, Michigan State last weekend, winning three of four against the Spartans. The Warriors now turn their attention to Wofford beginning on Friday with a single game (6 p.m.). The Warriors will then play a single game Saturday (2 p.m.) and wrap up play against the Terriers on Sunday (1 p.m.). Sunday's game will air on ESPN+.

Five Things to Know:

• Merrimack nearly swept the Spartans this weekend but were topped in extra innings in the final game of the series, 15-14. The Warriors first game of the weekend went into extra innings, but they were able to come away with the win, 9-6. On Saturday, Merrimack swept a doubleheader against Michigan State, winning the games by scores of 3-1 and 7-5, respectively.   
• Merrimack has a 5-3 record overall throughout the first two weekends of play. The Warriors have the most wins of any Northeast Conference (NEC) team through the first two weeks of the regular season.
• Graduate pitcher Riley Sorenson earned NEC Pitcher of the Week honors after winning his second straight game to start the year. Sorenson delivered 8.0 innings of one-run ball to garner the win in Merrimack's second game against the Spartans. Sorenson only allowed one hit over his final 4.0 frames. Freshman Justin Butera excelled again out of the bullpen, recording his second straight three-inning save in as many outings. Butera retired six straight to start the outing and relented just one run in the bottom of the ninth inning before securing the win. Sophomore LT Pare entered in the bottom of the ninth in the third game on the weekend and closed the door for the Warriors. Pare has now saved three of Merrimack's five wins. He's already one save shy of matching the most saves of any Warriors reliever from last season. 
• Senior Nick Shumski had an impressive weekend which earned him NEC Player of the Week honors. The senior shortstop recorded multiple hits and RBI during three of four contests. He totaled nine hits and nine RBI while batting a league-high .563. Along with Shumsk,i three other Warriors have averages over .300 at the plate including junior Thomas Crowley (.316), sophomore Kurtis Stadnicki (.313), and senior Joey Porricelli (.306).  
• The Warriors head back to S.C. where they take on Wofford in Spartanburg. The Terriers have had an impressive start with a record of 7-2. Wofford was slotted to finish first in the 2020 Preseason Southern Conference Coaches Poll earlier this month.

Matchup Comparison:

	Merrimack (5-3)	Wofford (7-2)
Team Links	Schedule Roster 2020 Statistics	Schedule Roster Statistics
Batting Average	.259	.299
Runs Scored	45	68
Home Runs	2	4
Team ERA	4.13	3.46
Fielding Percentage	.948	.961

Up Next:
The Warriors will travel to Williamsburg, Virg. to kick off spring break on March 6. Merrimack will play a three-game series against William & Mary beginning on Friday (4 p.m.). Singles games will follow on Saturday (2 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.).