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PENSACOLA, Fla. - UWF Baseball will host their fourth consecutive home series this weekend as they play Alabama Huntsville on Saturday and Sunday at Jim Spooner Field.  Saturday's contest will be a double-header beginning at 12 p.m. with the third game of the series scheduled for 1 p.m on Sunday.

UWF (6-3) is coming off a series win against Gulf South Conference foe, Delta State.  After dropping the first game, 6-5, the Argonauts rebounded nicely in games two and three of the series by finals of 7-5 and 7-6.  The Argos came from behind in both of their wins, which included trailing going into the eighth in Monday's contest.  First baseman Cullan O'Shea was a standout in game two and three of the series, registering four hits with two doubles and three runs scored.  The native of Mobile, Alabama also earned the first save of his career in the second game of the series.  

Dylan Menhennett was another star on offense, delivering six hits over the three-game series.  A product of Biloxi, Mississippi, Menhennett batted in four runs in the last two games against Delta State, getting his batting average up to .371 which ranks him third on the squad.  On the mound, West Florida received quality performances from game two and three starters, Evan Floyd and Tyler Dowdy, as both starters went five innings, and allowed three runs or less.  The bullpen also got clutch pitching from relievers; Josh Pahlad, Brendon Case and Joey Wozniak.

Case earned his second save of the year in game three, while Wozniak was able to send the game to extras with four strikeouts in two shutout innings in his first appearance of the year.

The Man From Mobile: O'Shea has been the Argonaut's most consistent hitter this season.  Through nine games, Cullan is leading the team in batting average (.389), total hits (14), and walks (7).  O'Shea is also tied for the team lead with 10 RBI's, triples (1) and total bases (19).  In the field, the first baseman has been steady as well with 63 put-outs, seven assists to earn a fielding percentage of .986.

Outfield Play Has Been Key: Led by Menhennett, the Argos have received a lot of offensive production and great defense from their four outfielders in 2021.  Menhennett ranks second on the team in hits (13), RBI's (8) and doubles (3). Switching between left and right field, Dylan leads the squad in slugging percentage (.543) and is tied for the team lead in home runs (1) and total bases.

Matthew Estrada, has been consistent in right field as well, starting all nine games for UWF this season.  The Pensacola Catholic product is hitting .325 this season with 11 hits in 35 at-bats to go along with his two RBI's.  Estrada also has a .442 on-base percentage, drawing six walks this year.  Justin Dunnam and Bryant Harris Jr. have also been dangerous at the plate, with Dunnam contributing a team-high 10 RBI's while Harris Jr. has five RBI's and a home run.

Pitching Is The Name Of The Game: Second in the GSC with a 3.42 staff earned run average, UWF pitching has been dominant through nine games.  Behind Floyd, Dowdy and felllow starter, Ryan Brewer, the Argo's starters have gone at least five innings in eight of their nine starts.  Brewer and Floyd are both in the top ten of the GSC in strikeouts, strikeouts looking and innings pitched, with Floyd also in the top ten in opposing batting average (.196) and ERA (2.25).  Along with the starters, the Argo bullpen has shut down opponents as well, earning a league-high five saves.  Case and Pahlad have been dominant out of the pen, with Pahlad yet to give up a earned run in nine innings, while Case has an ERA of 2.84, only allowing 2 runs on three hits in 6.1 innings.

Case and Pahlad have combined for 19 strikeouts on the year.

Scouting Alabama Huntsville: The Chargers (4-6), come into the match-up after dropping a mid-week home contest against Miles.  UAH, however did win their last series in the conference after taking two of three at home against West Georgia.  Alabama Huntsville has plenty of firepower on offense, as evidenced by 75 runs on a league-leading 110 hits.  The 75 runs rank second in the conference.  Reigning GSC Player of the Week, Zach Duvall, is one to watch on offense as he is coming off a weekend where he hit .688, had a slugging percentage of 1.250, with two home runs and seven RBI's.  Garrett Bodine leads the Chargers in hitting with a .400 batting average through 10 games this season.

UAH has struggled on the mound with a 6.25 ERA as a team, as they have given up a league-high 74 runs.  Tyler Self, however, has been nasty for the Chargers on the mound as the red-shirt junior has a 1.80 ERA, with four earned runs allowed to go along with 18 strikeouts in three starts.

Series History: The all-time series between the two teams is tied at 23 apiece.  UWF is also 12-12 against UAH at Jim Spooner Field, which includes a sweep by UWF when the Chargers last visited in March of 2018.

Attendance Update: University of West Florida athletics is now putting the 25 percent reduced capacity limit for both Jim Spooner Field and the UWF Softball Complex at 800 people. Visiting teams are required to provide a guest pass list. Gates will open 60 minutes prior to first pitch and concessions will be available both days. Tickets are $10 for reserved seating, $7 for general admission, $5 for student/military/senior and free for UWF students and children ages 6 and under. Tailgating in the parking lot is not allowed and trailers or RV's should park in the lower lot. As a reminder, pets are not allowed.

Face coverings and at least six feet of social distancing will be required by spectators and staff at Jim Spooner Field.  All other COVID-19 visitor compliance guidelines must be followed.  

For the latest information on the UWF Baseball Team, please visit GoArgos.com or follow the Team on Twitter @UWFBaseball.