Game #29
Lindenwood (14-14, 4-2 OVC)
Vs. Southern Illinois Carbondale (20-7, 5-1 MVC)
 
Game Information:
Date: Tuesday, April 1
Location: St. Charles, Mo.
Venue: Lou Brock Sprorts Complex
Start Time: 3:00 p.m.
All-Time Series: Southern Illinois leads 3-0
Last Meeting: April 4, 2024, Southern Illinois, 8-2
Live Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: Link
 
On-Tap
The Lions will conclude their five-game homestand with a Tuesday matchup with Southern Illinois Carbondale at 3:00 p.m. Lindenwood will look to extend its win streak to six games.

The Black and Gold are coming off a series sweep of UT Martin this past weekend in which the Lions allowed just two earned runs in three games. Josh Newell and Eli Brown each tossed a complete game shutout on Friday and Sunday. For each hurler it was their first career complete game. As a result, Newell was tabbed OVC Pitcher of the Week

Offensively, the Lions were led by Charlie Isom-McCall who hit .500 for the week and currently holds a 13-game hitting streak. Jake Radosevich and Sam Grunberg each homered in the series opener. Lindenwood continues to lead the OVC in hitting (.311) and home runs (40)

Lindenwood will be looking for their first-ever win over Carbondale as the Salukis have won the first three meetings.
 
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 (.394)
Hits: Kam Edwards (43)
RBI:  Sam Grunberg (25)
ERA: Easton Rakers (3.00)
Strikeouts: Eli Brown (43)
 
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
Lindenwood hits the road for a three-game series against Little Rock in Little Rock, Ark. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.