April 30, 2012

WEST POINT, N.Y. - The Army baseball team returns to the friendly confines of Doubleday Field on Tuesday, May 1, when the Black Knights host La Salle in a non-league contest. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.

Fans that are unable to make the trek to West Point can follow along with all the action via GameTracker by logging onto Army's official athletics website (www.goARMYsports.com) and navigating to the baseball schedule page. In-game Twitter updates will be tweeted throughout the contest via Army's official Twitter handle (@ArmyAthletics).

Army (35-12) has lost three of its last five games after winning nine straight. The Black Knights, who split a four-game series with Holy Cross last weekend, are rapidly approaching the first 40-win season in program history.

La Salle (17-26) was swept in a three-game series by conference rival St. Louis last weekend. The Explorers have lost 10 of their last 11 contests after opening the season 16-16.

Army has been led this season by its pitching staff that boasts a 3.20 team ERA. Ten Black Knight hurlers currently show earned run averages below 4.00. Junior RHP Chris Rowley (10-0, 1.10 ERA) headlines Army's starting rotation as the third-year performer ranks among the nation's leaders in victories, earned run average and shutouts (five).

Senior INF Kevin McKague continues to spearhead Army's offense with a .371 batting average, 13 doubles, four home runs, 36 runs batted in and a .521 slugging percentage. He also leads the team with a .473 on-base-percentage, while listing among the Black Knights' leaders with 29 runs scored, 21 walks and nine stolen bases.

Senior INF Jeff Flax paces La Salle's offense with a .318 batting average. Senior C Marc Schoch, who is batting .298, leads the Explorers with 12 doubles and lists second with two home runs and 23 runs batted in. Junior INF Dan Klem, who boasts a .295 batting average, tops the squad with 26 RBI.

The La Salle pitching staff, which shows a 4.25 earned run average, has led the Explorers all season. Junior LHP Ryan Donahue, who has made 21 appearances this year, leads the team with a 2.53 ERA. Senior RHP Kevin Christy, meanwhile, tops the club with 70 strikeouts and lists second with a 2.55 earned run average.

Army and La Salle will be meeting for just the sixth time when the teams lock horns on Tuesday afternoon. The Explorers have won each of the five previous encounters, though the programs have not squared off since 2004.

Following Tuesday's contest, Army will host Bloomfield in a doubleheader on Saturday, May 5. The non-conference twinbill, which will feature a pair of nine-inning games, is scheduled to get under way beginning at 12 p.m.