Game #25
Lindenwood (10-14, 1-2 OVC)
Vs. Bradley (3-16, 0-0 MVC)
 
Series Information:
Dates: Tuesday, March 25
Location: St. Charles, Mo.
Venue: Lou Brock Sprorts Complex
Start Times: 5:00 p.m.
All-Time Series: Lindenwood leads 3-0
Last Meeting: April 10, 2024, Lindenwood 11-9
Live Stats: Link
 
On-Tap
Lindenwood returns home for a midweek matchup with the Bradley Braves on Tuesday. The Lions opened OVC play last weekend losing two out of three on the road to Eastern Illinois. The Black and Gold lost a pair of games by one run, including the series opener in extra innings. Lindenwood responded in the series finale with a convincing 14-4 win.

In the win, Evan Funkhouser drove in five, while belting two home runs. The Lions went back-to-back-to-back in the fifth to grow the lead. Lindenwood continues to lead the OVC in hitting (.308) and home runs (35)

The pitching was fantastic in the series as both Josh Newell and Eli brown went seven innings and gave up just two earned runs. Michael Walsh was solid in relief during game three, tossing 4.1 innings of scoreless ball, picking up the win
 
OVC Preseason Poll
The Ohio Valley Conference released their 2025 Preseason Baseball Poll as voted on by the OVC head baseball coaches and communications directors. Southeast Missouri State was picked as the preseason favorite heading into the year.
 
The Redhawks picked up 13 of 20 first-place votes and 157 points in being picked first, ahead of Little Rock, who earned five first-place votes and 144 points. Tennessee Tech was tabbed third (118) while Morehead State earned one first-place vote and finished fourth (107). Eastern Illinois was predicted fifth (92) while SIUE earned the final first-place vote and was tabbed sixth (89). The poll was rounded out by UT Martin (69), Southern Indiana (57), Lindenwood (45) and Western Illinois (22).
 
2025 Statistical Leaders
Batting Average: Tyler Thompson (.388)
Hits: Kam Edwards (35)
RBI:  Filip Sarota (22)
ERA: Easton Rakers (3.52)
Strikeouts: Eli Brown (39)
 
Head Coach PJ Finigan
PJ Finigan will begin his third season on the Lindenwood baseball staff in 2025, and his second as head coach.
 
In his first year at the helm of the program, the Lions won 16 games, including nine inside the Ohio Valley Conference. Josh Newell was tabbed conference pitcher of the week once during the season, while Dawson Hokuf went on to earn second team All-OVC honors. Hokuf finished the 2024 season hitting .344, and led the team in home runs (6) and RBI's (33). Lindenwood was active on the base paths this season as the Lions led the OVC with 99 stolen bases. Five players finished the year with double digit steals.
 
Under the direction of Finigan, Joe Copeland and Easton Rakers earned all-conference honors. Copeland garnered second-team recognition as a utility player after hitting .333. Rakers landed on the all-newcomer team as he was the best arm out of the pen for Lindenwood, posting a 3.31 ERA in 20 appearances. Preston Salazar was tabbed OVC Pitcher of the Week one time during the year after tossing a complete game five-hitter against Tennessee Tech on April 6.
 
Up Next
The Lions host UT Martin for a three-game weekend OVC series at Lou Brock on March 28-30