Baseball | 4/11/2013 9:39:00 AM

BASEBALL - NORTHWEST NAZARENE AT WESTERN OREGON
Friday, April 12, 2013 – 1:00 p.m. – Monmouth, Ore. - (DH)
Saturday, April 13, 2013 - 12:00 p.m. – Monmouth, Ore. - (DH)

LIVE STATS: http://athletics.wou.edu/live/xlive.htm

MONMOUTH, Ore.- The Western Oregon baseball team returns to Great Northwest Athletic Conference play this week as the Wolves host Northwest Nazarene for a four-game series, beginning with a doubleheader on Friday, April 12, at 1:00 p.m. The series concludes with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 13, at 12:00 p.m.

The Wolves enter the important series at 19-15 overall and 14-7 in GNAC play after splitting a four game series at Montana State Billings last week. WOU is currently tied atop the GNAC standings with Central Washington as the Wolves are looking for their 12th straight conference title and the right to host the 2013 GNAC Baseball Tournament.

The Wolves, who are fourth in the GNAC in batting (.274) and runs scored (175), are lead at the plate by Daniel McNabb as the outfielder ranks second in the GNAC in batting at .382 while leading the team in on-base percentage (.446).  Last week, Miller went 5-for-9 in the four game series to help lead the Wolves to a split against the Yellowjackets. Matt Nylen (.340), Blake Miller (.336), Chris Bradshaw (.305), and Scott David (.300) are also hitting at a .300 clip or above for the Wolves.

WOU's strong pitching staff leads the GNAC in opposing batting average (.275) and strikeouts (238) while ranking second in the conference in ERA (4.96). Spenser Watkins leads the Wolves as the right-hander has posted a 5-4 record with a 3.62 ERA while striking out 43 in 49.2 innings of work. Kody Stone leads the Wolves in the bullpen as he ranks second in the nation with nine saves. The right-handed reliever has posted an impressive 1.23 ERA in 14 relief appearances.

Northwest Nazarene enters the series with an 18-19 overall record and 9-11 GNAC record as the Crusaders have lost three straight after losing three out of four in their series earlier this week at Central Washington.

The Crusaders, who lead the GNAC in runs (199), are lead at the plate by Logan Parker as he is currently batting .342 on the season. On the mound, Aaron Vaughn leads the Crusaders as he has posted a  4-4 record with a 5.77 ERA in 57.2 innings pitched. As a staff, the Crusaders rank third in the GNAC in ERA (5.79) and second in strikeouts (188).

Earlier this season, the Wolves won three-of-four at NNU after winning seven-of-eight games against the Crusaders last season.

Admission to the weekend series is $6 for adults and $4 for non-WOU students and seniors. WOU faculty, staff and students are free with a valid identification card.

Following this series, the Wolves return to action next week with a four-game series at home against Lewis Clark State, opening on Friday, April 19 at 2:00 p.m.