JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 20, 2025) – The ETSU baseball team returns home to Thomas Stadium this weekend to open SoCon play with a three-game series vs. Samford. The series, which is presented by Ford, will get underway on Friday at 5 p.m.
Probable Pitching Matchups
LHP Miller Riggins (SAM) vs. RHP Carter Fink (ETSU) – Friday @ 5 p.m. | Live Stats | ESPN+
RHP Cameron Keshock (SAM) vs. RHP Jace Hyde (ETSU) – Saturday @ 2 p.m. | Live Stats | ESPN+
TBD (SAM) vs. RHP Michael Harpster (ETSU) – Sunday @ 1 p.m. | Live Stats | ESPN+
Last Time Out – ETSU is coming off one of the biggest victories in the history of the program as it defeated No. 1 Tennessee by a score of 7-6 in 10 innings on Tuesday. The loss was Tennessee's first of the 2025 season, and it was the first victory for the Buccaneers in Knoxville since 2019. Tuesday's win boosted ETSU's overall record to 16-4 this spring.
One of the Nation's top sluggers wears Blue & Gold – Including games played through March 19, ETSU's
Grant Gallagher is tied for Division I lead in home runs with 12. Gallagher's 12
th long ball of the season came in the top of the 10
th inning at Tennessee that proved to be the winning run. Gallagher is also tied with Georgia's Ryland Zamborowski for the best home runs per game mark in the country (0.60) as both players have 12 home runs in 20 games played.
Setting the Stage for SoCon Play – As conference play begins, the Buccaneers lead the league in multiple statistical categories. Offensively, the Bucs are the SoCon leader in batting average (.327), hits (223), home runs (49), slugging percentage (.611), and triples (8). As a team, ETSU is third in the country in home runs behind Georgia (57) and Tennessee (54) and ranks behind only the Volunteers in slugging percentage (.641). On the mound, the Bucs have been just as effective leading SoCon schools in ERA (3.40), hits allowed per nine innings (7.22), shutouts (2) and WHIP (1.23).
Bucs have been terrific at Thomas Stadium – ETSU has enjoyed one of the best home field advantages in college baseball over the last two seasons. The Bucs are 39-7 (.848 winning percentage) since the start of 2024. The Bucs have lost only one series at their home field during that stretch (last season vs. James Madison). The Blue and Gold haven't lost a home series against a conference opponent since April 2023 against Wofford.
Tip of the Hat to the Buccaneer Bullpen – Tuesday's win against Tennessee was pitched entirely by pitchers who have been exclusively relievers this season for ETSU. The Bucs have a bullpen ERA of 3.05 in 88.2 innings pitched in 2025 with 97 strikeouts. Additionally, opposing lineups are hitting just .190 off of ETSU relievers this spring.
About Samford – Samford will come to Johnson City with a 12-9 record this season. The Bulldogs dropped a 6-4 decision to Jacksonville State in 10 innings on Tuesday. Even with that loss, Samford is 8-2 in its last 10 games. A player to watch offensively for Samford is Cade Carr. Carr is hitting .403 this spring with four home runs and 32 RBI. On the mound, Samford is led by Evan Steckmesser. Despite not starting any games this season, Steckmesser leads the Bulldog pitching staff with 25.1 innings pitched with 29 strikeouts and a 2.13 ERA. The Samford starting pitcher group is led by Saturday's probable starter Cameron Keshock with a 3-0 record and a 1.80 ERA in 25 innings.
Series History vs. Opponent – The all-time series between ETSU and Samford has been nearly even with the Bulldogs holding the slight edge, 18-16. The Bucs will be looking for their first series win against the Bulldogs since May 2021 when they took two of three in a series played in Johnson City.
For more information on Buccaneer baseball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the baseball tab.
