George Washington University Athletics
Tuesday, April 9
Arlington, VA
3 p.m.
George Washington University
vs
Coppin State
Baseball Sets Sights on Mid-Week Matchup
4/8/2024 3:44:00 PM | Baseball
WASHINGTON – Following a three-game series at George Mason last weekend, the George Washington baseball team turns its attention to a mid-week clash with Coppin State on Tuesday. First pitch against the Eagles is slated for 3:00 p.m. at Tucker Field with live coverage available on ESPN+.
LAST TIME OUT
The Revolutionaries dropped two out of three contests at George Mason last weekend, taking the series-opener but falling in the final two matchups. Throughout the weekend, GW was led by Sam Gates who continues to shine in his junior season. Gates tallied seven hits across the three contests, recording three on Friday and three on Sunday as well. Gates launched a two-run homer in Friday's game, his team-leading seventh of the season. He also tallied five RBI and four runs scored in the series. On the season, Gates is batting .341 with 45 hits. He has 21 extra-base hits on the year including his seven homers and a team-best 14 doubles. He's driven home 31 RBI and boasts a slugging percentage of .606. Despite two losses to the Patriots over the weekend, GW still sits in a tie for second place in the conference at 4-2. Saint Louis, Dayton and GW are tied for the two spot, while VCU sits on top with a conference mark of 5-1 through the first two weekends of conference action.
DITOMASO NEARS THE TOP FIVE
Entering the week, Steve DiTomaso has 263 career hits, needing just four more to enter top five in program history. Before reaching that mark, DiTomaso first must pass Ryan Robertson who sits in seventh with 265 hits and Robbie Metz who is sixth with 266. Once he collects his 267th hit, DiTomaso will then be tied with Ryan Dacey for fifth all-time. He will join a list of GW legends in the top five which includes Tom Shanely who is fourth with 273, Joey Bartosic in third with 281, Mike Bassett in second with 290 and Tom Zebroski who holds the all-time record at 299. This season, DiTomaso is batting .326 with 46 hits. He also has 23 RBI and 27 runs scored in 2024.
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
Coppin State enters the mid-week matchup 6-18 overall after dropping two of three to Sacred Heart over the weekend. The Eagles have lost six of their last seven contests and sit 5-10 in conference play this year. Coppin State is led by Sherman Reed who's served as head coach of the program for 14 seasons. Since taking over as the Eagles' skipper, Reed has amassed a 173-432 record, including four 20-win seasons in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023.
The Eagles are led by Damon Gaither with a .312 batting average and 29 hits. He has a team-best 21 RBI and six home runs. He also leads the squad in slugging percentage at .559, while also scoring 21 runs. Samuel Nieves is the only other Eagle with above a .300 batting average, sitting at .311. Nieves has 23 hits this season including two doubles, two home runs and one triple. He has 12 RBI and an on-base percentage of .429. Nieves also leads the team in stolen bases with eight. On the mound, Coppin State's top starter is Alek Elges who holds a 7.02 ERA. He's 1-3 on the season through seven starts and has tossed 41.0 innings in total. He has 33 strikeouts and opposing batters hit a .308 average against him.
LAST TIME OUT
The Revolutionaries dropped two out of three contests at George Mason last weekend, taking the series-opener but falling in the final two matchups. Throughout the weekend, GW was led by Sam Gates who continues to shine in his junior season. Gates tallied seven hits across the three contests, recording three on Friday and three on Sunday as well. Gates launched a two-run homer in Friday's game, his team-leading seventh of the season. He also tallied five RBI and four runs scored in the series. On the season, Gates is batting .341 with 45 hits. He has 21 extra-base hits on the year including his seven homers and a team-best 14 doubles. He's driven home 31 RBI and boasts a slugging percentage of .606. Despite two losses to the Patriots over the weekend, GW still sits in a tie for second place in the conference at 4-2. Saint Louis, Dayton and GW are tied for the two spot, while VCU sits on top with a conference mark of 5-1 through the first two weekends of conference action.
DITOMASO NEARS THE TOP FIVE
Entering the week, Steve DiTomaso has 263 career hits, needing just four more to enter top five in program history. Before reaching that mark, DiTomaso first must pass Ryan Robertson who sits in seventh with 265 hits and Robbie Metz who is sixth with 266. Once he collects his 267th hit, DiTomaso will then be tied with Ryan Dacey for fifth all-time. He will join a list of GW legends in the top five which includes Tom Shanely who is fourth with 273, Joey Bartosic in third with 281, Mike Bassett in second with 290 and Tom Zebroski who holds the all-time record at 299. This season, DiTomaso is batting .326 with 46 hits. He also has 23 RBI and 27 runs scored in 2024.
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
Coppin State enters the mid-week matchup 6-18 overall after dropping two of three to Sacred Heart over the weekend. The Eagles have lost six of their last seven contests and sit 5-10 in conference play this year. Coppin State is led by Sherman Reed who's served as head coach of the program for 14 seasons. Since taking over as the Eagles' skipper, Reed has amassed a 173-432 record, including four 20-win seasons in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023.
The Eagles are led by Damon Gaither with a .312 batting average and 29 hits. He has a team-best 21 RBI and six home runs. He also leads the squad in slugging percentage at .559, while also scoring 21 runs. Samuel Nieves is the only other Eagle with above a .300 batting average, sitting at .311. Nieves has 23 hits this season including two doubles, two home runs and one triple. He has 12 RBI and an on-base percentage of .429. Nieves also leads the team in stolen bases with eight. On the mound, Coppin State's top starter is Alek Elges who holds a 7.02 ERA. He's 1-3 on the season through seven starts and has tossed 41.0 innings in total. He has 33 strikeouts and opposing batters hit a .308 average against him.
Players Mentioned
UTL
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