The Lindenwood baseball team is set to close out its regular season with a tightly contested three‑game series at Southern Indiana, a matchup that could lock in the Lions’ seeding for the upcoming OVC Tournament.
A rivalry that matters
Lindenwood enters the series with a 28‑24 overall record and a 12‑12 mark in conference play, having already secured a spot in the tournament but still chasing a favorable seed. The team’s historical edge over the Jaguars stands at 9‑5, making Southern Indiana the most frequent OVC opponent they face.
Key contributors for the Lions include senior infielder Will Geary, who tops the club with a .328 average, 66 hits, 38 runs and 25 stolen bases, and pitcher Josh Newell, who leads the staff with a 6‑5 record and a 2.55 ERA. Seth Benes adds depth on the mound, boasting a conference‑best 2.22 ERA and 73 strikeouts.
The offense is anchored by Hunter Miller’s .396 average, the top mark in the conference, while freshman Clayton Slack leads Southern Indiana with a .396 average, 72 hits, 15 doubles, 56 runs and 42 RBIs.
Pitching showdown
Southern Indiana’s staff ERA sits at 5.96, fourth best in the league, but the Lions’ arms have been relentless, limiting opponents to a .293 team batting average that ties them for third in the conference. The upcoming series will test whether the Lions can maintain that dominance against a Jaguars lineup that features Hunter Miller’s hot streak.
The Lions’ recent 11‑6 loss at Indiana State offered a glimpse of both resilience and areas to tighten up; Will Geary drove in three RBIs in that contest, underscoring his clutch ability despite the defeat.
Looking ahead
As the regular season winds down, the three‑game set against Southern Indiana will serve as the final litmus test before the tournament. Coach Ean DiPasquale and his staff will rely on the experience of veterans like Ryan Weller, Andres Gonzalez, Kam Edwards and Tyler Ellis to navigate the pressure and finish the season strong.