March 27, 2008

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Dayton and Rhode Island square off in a three-game Atlantic 10 Conference series this weekend at Time Warner Cable Stadium. The Flyers (13-7, 1-2 A-10) and Rams (7-13, 0-3 A-10) are scheduled to play Friday (3 p.m. ET), Saturday (1 p.m. ET) and Sunday (Noon ET) in games that can be followed with Gametracker and FREE Live Audio at www.DaytonFlyers.com.

After getting off to slow starts in conference play last weekend, both teams will be looking to make a move in the Atlantic 10 Conference standings in this weekend's early-season series. After dropping its first two games to Xavier on Easter weekend, Dayton has won three in a row entering the series with Rhode Island.

UD leads the nation in times hit by pitch as it has been plunked 52 times in only 20 games played entering this weekend. The Flyers are on track to be drilled 143 times this season, which would shatter the NCAA record for times hit by pitch in a single-season. The 2005 Notre Dame squad was hit by pitch 130 times in 63 games played. Last season, the Flyers were hit by pitch a school-record 104 times in 54 games played. Flyer third baseman Ryan Nevill has been plunked 12 times in 20 games played (0.6 HBP per game) which is the third most per game and overall in the nation for any individual this season.

Dayton also boasts one of the best overall pitching staffs in the Atlantic 10 Conference with a 3.74 ERA and 13 wins in 20 games played. UD is second in the A-10 in ERA, opposing batting average (.263) and wins while ranking third in fewest runs allowed (88) and fourth in fewest walks allowed (67).

Freshman Burny Mitchem and senior Lucas Farden have combined to provide a formidable 1-2 punch in the Flyer bullpen this season. Mitchem holds a 1.15 ERA with two saves and 22 strikeouts in only 15.2 innings pitched over nine appearances while Farden has struck out 27 batters in 27.0 innings pitched over 12 appearances while tallying two saves of his own. Farden has retired the side in order from start to finish 10 times this season while Mitchem has done it five times.