SCOUTING THE RAIDERS    
MSOE enters action in Jacksonville, Ill. with an overall record of 4-4. As a team, the Raiders own a .281 batting average and an on-base percentage of .370. The Raiders have had their fair share of struggles on the mound in the young season with a team ERA of 5.43. Opposing teams have stolen 12 bases on the Raiders over eight games, while MSOE has caught six runners in the process of stealing. Freshman Jacob Roley has stolen the show, producing a team-best ERA of 1.46. Roley has struck out an average of 8.7 per 9/IP in his initial season.

SCOUTING THE PIONEERS    
UW-Platteville has yet to play this season, but aim to build off a strong year in 2015. Last season the Pioneers finished with an overall record of 21-19, despite losing seven straight to close out the year. The Pioneers return each of their top-three hitters from a year ago, with Evan Greco having led them with a .357 batting average. UWP graduated a lone senior in 2015 and will return a majority of their offense. In addition to Greco, the Pioneers return their top arm in Austin Daniels. In 2015, Daniels posted a record of 5-4 alongside a 3.14 ERA and 35 strikeouts.

SCOUTING THE BLUE JAYS    
Elmhurst rides a three-game winning streak on their way to Jacksonville, Ill. this weekend, having defeated Carleton and Lawrence by a combined score of 43-14. The Bluejays return All-CCIW performer in Ben Havel, who plays a little bit of everywhere for Elmhurst, making appearances in the infield, outfield and on the mound. Havel has started all three games in the field for Elmhurst so far this season, recording a .357 batting average while producing five RBIs.The Bluejays top starter has been Austin MacMillan who owns a 1.93 ERA after one outing. MacMillan provides strong control of his pitchign arsenal, walking no batters over his 4 2/3 innings pitched.

SCOUTING THE LUMBERJACKS    
Northland will face the Duhawks having split their last two outings, 2-2. The Lumberjacks have seen success offensively in 2016, with three batters hitting over .300. Alex Elliott leads the team with a .375 average over his first 16 at-bats. Pitching has been erratic for Northland, combing for an ERA of 8.23. Anthony Corrado threw seven innings in his debut, allowing two earned runs. Carson Ferry possesses strikeout potential in the rotation, striking out 11 batters over his first seven innings. If Ferry can iron out his command, he'll be threat in the Lumberjacks rotation this season. In his first start Ferry walked seven batters.

LATE INNING RALLY COMES UP SHORT FOR DUHAWKS    
In their season opener, the Duhawk offense was limited to three hits over nine innings. Senior Alex Steines and freshman Brian Pall had strong performances on the mound. Lucas Jacque secured the teams lone RBI, driving in senior Patrick Walsh in the fourth inning. Sophomore Mike Muto scored the tying run for the Duhawks, but Mount Mercy responded with a tally of their own in the bottom of the eighth.

SPIESS GEARING TOWARDS NEXT STEP    
Sophomore Nick Spiess aims to be a key component of the Duhawk pitching staff in 2016. The Iowa City native got a taste of the starting rotation last season, but did not work his way into a regular role. Now with spots open in the rotation, Spiess looks to showcase his talents to the coaching staff. In 2015, Spiess made 11 appearances, including two starts. He held opponents to a .259 batting average on 20 1/3 innings pitched.

PALL MAKES GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION    
Freshman Brian Pall made an immediate impact last weekend, coming on in relief of senior Alex Steines. Pall entered the action in the fourth inning and threw three complete innings, surrendering two hits and a walk while striking out three. Given his success in his debut, Pall could hear his named called this weekend in Jacksonville.

JACQUE PROVIDES THE OFFENSE IN WEEK ONE    
Throughout his career at Loras, senior Lucas Jacque has built a reputation for his defensive ability and timely hitting, both of which followed suit in the season opener. Jacque drove in Loras' lone RBI of the day in the fourth inning, scoring senior Patrick Walsh. After a 2015 season which saw Jacque hit .218. the senior aims to finish his career on a high note.

FRESH FACES APPEAR IN DUHAWK LINEUP    
The 2016 campaign brings with it a young group itching to make their mark in the Loras baseball program. Sophomores Danny Weis and Ryan Koester each saw time a season ago, but with the graduation of 10 seniors, Weis and Koester each had their names called on opening day for the starting lineup. Senior Adrian Nunez and junior Thomas Johnson are two others who have seen sporadic playing time over the beginning of their careers, but made their debut on opening day as well. The four combined for less than 100 at-bats a season ago. Weis led the group with a .308 batting average.