Following a thorough 20-5 thrashing of the University of Memphis Tigers and a devastating loss to Southeastern Louisiana University, the Tulane University baseball team is ranked second in the AAC with an 8-3 conference record, just two wins shy of Eastern Carolina University’s 11-1 conference record.

The Green Wave really hit its stride during the month of April, sweeping conference opponent University of South Florida in a three-game series and taking another conference series against Wichita State 2-1.

With the help of junior slugger Kody Hoese, who currently has the most home runs of any NCAA Division One player, Tulane has been incredibly dominant at home, posting a 19-8 record at Turchin Stadium.

The team’s success has also been fueled by its powerful batters. Of the eight everyday starters, only junior infielder Sal Gozzo, sophomore infielder David Bedgood and sophomore outfielder Kobi Owen have posted batting averages below .300.

As a team, the Green Wave ranks 12 in the NCAA in terms of its batting average, with the squad hitting .307. It also ranks 23 in the nation for reaching bases, accomplishing this feat 40.2% of the time.

With a team earned run average of 5.31, however, the pitching staff for the Green Wave is by no means stellar. Still, considering that its conference opponents’ ERA floats roughly three runs higher per nine innings at 7.95, the Green Wave has been fairly successful at getting the job done.

Looking ahead, Tulane faces a tough conference series on the road against ECU. With less than a month until the conference championship, this series marks a crucial point in the season for the Green Wave. In order to take the lead in the conference, Tulane has to sweep the Pirates in the three game series even though ECU has only dropped three games at home all season.

Because Tulane has a 27-26 all time record against ECU, this series marks a tipping point in the college baseball rivalry. Fans will certainly get to see a suspenseful and thrilling series.

The series kicks off at 5:30 p.m. April 26 in Greenville, North Carolina. Tune in to the game on 88.3 FM WRBH.