In the OVC, Belmont and Southern Illinois Edwardsville currently lead the standing each undefeated in conference play. Although Belmont is first in the conference, Southern Illinois Edwardsville leads in multiple individual statistics.

Southern Illinois Edwardsville has found success in players offensively and defensively to start the season.

Cougars’ infielder Brett Pierson leads or is in top-three in batting average (.667), slugging percentage (1.250), on-base percentage (.714) and hits (.714). Pierson’s batting average and on-base percentage currently lead the OVC.

Cougars’ pitcher Kenny Serwa co-leads the OVC in innings pitched (8.0) and leads  batters struck out (14). Serwa is third in batter strikeouts looking with six.

The Cougars are 3-0 in conference play and have an overall record of 8-6. Their conference wins come against Tennessee Tech. The Cougars will play their next conference games against Southeast Missouri this weekend.

Belmont is first in the conference with a 3-0 conference record and an overall record of 13-3. The Bruins are on a seven-game win streak and have collected wins against Western Kentucky, UNC-Asheville and Morehead State.

Bruins’ catcher Jackson Campbell leads the OVC in runs batted in with 10 on the season. Campbell is top-three in home-runs (3), slugging percentage (1.214) and total bases (17). Campbell leads the OVC in fielding percentage (1.000), chances (39), and putouts (35).

Eastern’s baseball team is currently fifth in the OVC Standings. The Panthers are 2-1 in conference play and hold an overall record of 6-6. Their conference wins come against Jacksonville State.

Eastern’s outfielder Grant Emme co-leads the OVC in stolen bases with two. Panther pitchers Blake Malatestinic and Jack Wolfe co-lead the OVC in earned run average with 0. Malatestinic co-leads Serwa with 8.0 innings pitched in the OVC.

Murray State and Southeast Missouri are in third and fourth place in the OVC standings. Both hold conference records of 2-1 and overall records of 9-7.

Southeast Missouri’s conference wins come against Tennessee-Martin . Tyler Wilber leads the OVC in hits (11) and runs scored (8). Wilber is second in batting average (647) and on-base percentage (.684). Wilber is tied for third with teammate Justin Dirden for third in runs batted in with eight each.

Murray State’s conference wins come against Austin Peay.  Racers’ pitcher Justin Thomas is among the co-leaders in earned run average. Racers’ Jordan Cozart and Byson Bloomer are top-five in multiple categories.

Cozart is second in the OVC in hits (nine), first in home-runs (4), fourth in batting average (.600) and first in runs batted in (10). Bloomer is third in the OVC in batting average (.615), third in hits (eight) and second in on-base percentage (.667).

Blake Faith can be reached at 581-2812 or bmfaith@eiu.edu.