Games #13-16
Lindenwood (6-6, 0-0 OVC)
vs. Butler  (4-6, 0-0 Big East)

Series Information:
Dates: Friday, March 7-Sunday, March 9
Location: St. Charles, Mo.
Venue: Lou Brock Sports Complex
Start Times: 1:00 p.m. (Fri – DH), 1:00 p.m. (Sat), 1:00 p.m. (Sun)
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Last Meeting : None
Live Stats: Link
 
On-Tap
The Lions will host their second consecutive home series this weekend, welcoming the Butler Bulldogs out of the Big East for a four-game set at Lou Brock Sports Complex in St. Charles, Mo.
Lindenwood is coming off a series win, taking two of three from Illinois State last weekend. Jake Radosevich was terrific at the plate, belting two home runs and driving in nine. Easto Rakers picked up the save on Friday, while Bennett Stice threw 4.1 scoreless innings ou of the pen on Sunday, earning 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: Sam Grunberg (.390)
Hits: Sam Grunberg (16)
RBI: Sam Grunberg, Filip Sarota (12)
ERA: Bennett Stice (1.93)
Strikeouts: Eli Brown (24)
 
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 heads to Murray, Ky. for a two-game series with the Racers, March 11-12. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.