The Games: Towson (4-12, 1-2 CAA) vs. Marist (2-11, 0-0 MAAC)
When: Tuesday, March 14 – 3 p.m. | Wednesday, March 15 – 3 p.m.
Where: Schuerholz Park | Towson, Md.
Series: Marist leads the series 6-2
TOWSON, Md. – The Tigers are set to open a five-game homestand with two games against Marist on Tuesday, March 14 and Wednesday, March 15. Both games are scheduled for 3 p.m. starts. Towson will face UNCW in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play this weekend to wrap up the homestand.
Weekend Schedule:
March 17 - vs. UNCW, 3:00 p.m.
March 18 - vs. UNCW, 1:00 p.m.
March 19 - vs. UNCW, 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday will be the ninth and tenth meetings between the Tigers and Red Foxes in a series dating back to March 3, 2000. All eight previous meetings were played at Schuerholz Park. Following Wednesday's game, Towson enters its second Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) series of the year against UNCW at Schuerholz Park from March 17-19. First pitch on Friday is 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday's games are set for 1 p.m. starts.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Marist comes in at 2-11 this season, with wins over East Tennessee State and Bucknell. The Red Foxes were selected to finish fourth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) among the league's head coaches. Niko Amory, Marist's top batter, is hitting .357 with three home runs and 10 RBI. The pitching staff has a 11.68 combined ERA.
LAST TIME: TOWSON SPLITS DH WITH N.C. A&T
The Tigers faced CAA newcomer N.C. A&T in conference play last weekend, splitting the Saturday doubleheader to close the series.
Top Towson Batter:
--#17
Brian Heckelman: 3-for-7, 1 R, 4 RBI, 2BB
Top Towson Pitcher:
--#32
Tyler Russo: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 2 K, 1 BB
HECKELMAN TABBED CO-ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Following an 8-for-16 week at the plate including two homers, four runs scored and eight RBI, Heckelman was tabbed the CAA Co-Rookie of the Week on 3/13. He picked up three multi-hit games in the week.
DICKERSON PICKS UP PRESEASON HONORS
Outfielder
Elijah Dickerson was selected as a Preseason Honorable Mention All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) by the league's head coaches. Dickerson was named an Honorable Mention All-CAA at the end of last season after batting .262 with 27 runs, 10 doubles, 10 home runs and 42 RBI. Dickerson was also named to the 2023 Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award Watch List, an award based on performance at the plate, academics and personal integrity.
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE
The 2023 roster highlights 16 newcomers: eight freshmen and eight transfers. Among notable transfers include power-hitting catcher from Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester,
John Cristino;
Jeremy Wagner, son of longtime MLB pitcher Billy Wagner; First Team All-MEC utility player Jack Lawrence; and Kansas transfer
Reyce Curnane.
EARNING STRIPES
New pitching coach
Mike Ruppenthal joins the Towson staff ahead of the 2023 campaign after serving in the same role with Tyler Junior College. Tyler won the 2021 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DIII National Championship and Ruppenthal was subsequently named the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) NJCAA DIII Assistant Coach of the Year.
HOMEGROWN TALENT
The 2023 roster features 14 players that hail from Maryland, including eight returners and six newcomers. Among the six newcomers, three are transfers and three are freshmen.
