Games #50-52
Lindenwood (25-24, 12-8 OVC)
Vs. Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (32-17, 14-7 OVC)
 
Series Information:
Dates: Friday, May 9-Sunday, May 11
Location: Cookeville, Tenn.   
Venue: Bush Stadium   
Start Time: 6:00 p.m. (Friday), 2:00 p.m. (Saturday), 1:00 p.m. (Sunday)
All-Time Series: Tied 3=3
Last Meeting: April 14, 2024, Lindenwood 5-3
Live Video: ESPN+ (Saturday, Sunday)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
 
On-Tap
The Lions dropped a midweek game to SLU on Tuesday by a score of 7-4. Bryson Arnette smacked his fifth home run of the season, while Filip Sarota went 2-3 at the plate. On the mound, Dillon Haftorson had his best outing of the season, going four scoreless innings out of the pen while giving up just two hits.

In its last OVC series, Lindenwood took all three from Morehead State d. The first two contests were one-run ball games before the bats erupted for 12 runs in the series finale.

Sam Grunberg hit two home runs in Sunday's doubleheader, giving him a team-high 11 on the season. Grunberg now leads the team in home runs with 11 and RBI's with 42. Jake Radosevich also had a solid weekend at the dish driving in five, putting him just behind Grunberg with 41 RBI on the season.

The back half of the bullpen was outstanding against the Eagles as Easton Rakers through four innings across a pair of outings to lower his season ERA to 2.10, while also picking up a pair of saves. Bennett Stice also earned a save in game three and dropped his ERA to a team-best 2.03.

Tennessee Tech enters the weekend with a record of 32-17, including a 14-8 mark inside conference play. The Golden Eagles have won four-consecutive conference games and are coming off a sweep of SEMO last weekend.
 
 
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: Kam Edwards (.345)
Hits: Kam Edwards (58)
RBI: Sam Grunberg (42)
ERA: Bennett Stice (2.03)
Strikeouts: Eli Brown (59)
 
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 will close out the regular season next weekend as they honor their seniors during a three-game set against Southern Indiana. First pitch on Thursday, May 15 is set for 5:00 p.m.