Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University will adjust its weekend baseball schedule due to weather forecasts as they host Belmont in a three-game series. The series will begin Thursday at Itchy Jones Stadium at 6 p.m., followed by a doubleheader on Friday starting at noon.

Fans can watch the games on ESPN Plus or keep up with live stats and updates on Twitter via @SIU_Baseball.

The probable starting pitchers for Southern Illinois are Tyler Timmerman, Alec Nigut, and Meade Johnson. Belmont will likely start Zane Brown, Joe Ruzicka, and Jake Timbes.

Southern Illinois currently has a 24-12 record and stands at 7-5 in Missouri Valley Conference play. The team's offense outmatches opponents 80-57 in the first three innings and is 17-0 when leading after seven innings. The Salukis have a team batting average of .296 and lead the MVC with a .519 slugging percentage.

Belmont, holding a 16-23 record, is 6-6 in MVC play. The team is led by Pete Daniel, who boasts a .392 batting average, and Mike Sprockett, with nine home runs. Their pitching staff has a 7.20 ERA.

Southern Illinois has dominated the matchup against Belmont historically, holding a 14-6 lead in past meetings and winning their last four encounters.

Current standout performers for the Salukis include Matt Schark, who leads the team with 12 home runs, and Alec Nigut, who leads with a 3.07 ERA. Coach Lance Rhodes enters his sixth season, having led the team to over 40 wins in two of the last four seasons.

The team was predicted to finish second in the MVC according to midseason polls.

For updates, follow the Salukis on social media and through their official mobile app.