MU ready to play at Kennedy Center

HUNTINGTON -- Weather permitting, Marshall will play its inaugural baseball game today at the YMCA Kennedy Center.

The field is located 9 miles from campus and upriver along W.Va. 2.

Marshall is scheduled for a 3 p.m. non-conference game against Delaware State. A Saturday doubleheader beginning at noon is also scheduled. Admission is free.

A field dedication ceremony is being conducted before the start of today's contest. The field will be dedicated to YMCA executive director George Smailes. The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by YMCA Board of Directors president David Tyson and Marshall Board of Governors member Mike Farrell.

Marshall home games have been played this season at Appalachian Power Park in Charleston, Lawrence County High School in Louisa, Ky., and Epling Stadium in Montgomery, W.Va.

The Marshall athletic Web site www.herdzone.com lists seating capacity at the Kennedy Center at 3,000.

Marshall enters the series with a 24-25-1 record while Delaware State is 16-29.

Right-hander Steve Blevins (7-2, 4.78 ERA) will be the Thundering Herd starting pitcher. J.R. McAllister (3-4) gets the start for the Hornets.

Nate Lape for the Herd has a .384 batting average with 14 home runs and 51 RBI.

Victor Gomez is hitting .380 with nine homers and 38 RBI. Tommy Johnson has a .333 average, eight homers and 43 RBI.

Marshall's Adam Yeager is ranked fourth in the nation with 34 stolen bases in 41 attempts.

Delaware State's Jarrett Bibb has a .321 average, 12 homers and 43 RBI. Justin Bittner is hitting .319 with 10 homers and 50 RBI.

Hornets pitcher Josh Schmidt is 7-4 with a 4.86 ERA.