No. 22 Tulane baseball (21-11, 3-2 in American Athletic Conference) looks to improve its defensive tactics and maintain its lively offense in order to emerge victorious in the weekend series against Cincinnati (16-18, 4-2 in AAC) at Turchin Stadium.

In the game against UL-Lafayette (22-11, 10-5 Sun Belt Conference) Tuesday, the pitchers totaled six walks in the eight innings of play, four of which contributed to the team’s loss. To try to improve throughout these next few games and win, Tulane’s defense aims to lessen the amounts of batters walked per game.

“As a pitching staff, our [goal] is three or less free passes a game,” senior pitcher Emerson Gibbs said. “The only way that teams really score on us is when we give them first base, and then they get things going. We just have to throw strikes and let our defense play behind us, and we have a good shot.”

When the Wave’s pitchers contain the opponent’s offense and limit the amount of batters walked, Tulane increases its ability to defeat opponents.

“When we keep the opposing team to less than three passes a game, we are 13-1,” head coach David Pierce said. “So, our goal moving forward is to have every team that we face earn the runs that they get.”

Though the team lost the past two games against East Carolina University and UL-Lafayette, Tulane managed to keep its bats hot and drive in some runs in each game. Junior infielder Hunter Hope, junior infielder Stephen Alemais and redshirt sophomore outfielder Grant Brown have managed to hit homeruns in the past three games played.

“I think the biggest challenge facing Tulane will be their bats,” sophomore Cincinnati pitcher David Orndorff said. “Nearly half of their lineup is almost batting .300, which means that a lot of them will put the ball in play and make our defense work.”

The Wave’s offensive goals will continue to reflect their scoring nature, quality at bats.

“As hitters, I think that we need more quality at bats this weekend and just keep doing what we have been doing all season,” junior outfielder Lex Kaplan said.

Cincinnati has a strong record, but Pierce expects a skilled and resilient performance by the Green Wave.

“I expect them to be very aggressive,” Pierce said. “They are playing confident right now. I expect us to bounce back from a tough loss [against UL-Lafayette] and go into the series expecting to win.”

Tulane baseball will work to win its three games against the Bearcats during the weekend series at Greer Field.