FORT MYERS, Fla – After slugging their way to a dominant 20-3 win over the University of Wisconsin-Stout on Monday morning, Eastern Connecticut State University Baseball turns its attention to Skidmore College just over 24 hours later.

In a battle of the unbeatens, the Warriors (5-0) come into this matchup having scored 10-plus runs in their last two games versus Purchase College and UW-Stout, while allowing just three runs in each. But they will be up against an offensive juggernaut at Terry Park Sports Complex at 11:00 AM as the undefeated Thoroughbreds (7-0), who have scored 10-plus runs in four of their first seven games, look to continue their hot start and win the first-ever game in program history between the two teams.

Skidmore College has swept their first three doubleheaders of the season against United States Merchant Marine Academy and The College at Old Westbury on the road before coming down to Fort Myers, Florida, and sweeping Wisconsin Lutheran College on Sunday. Monday afternoon, the Thoroughbreds won a nail-biter against UW-Stout, 13-12, after the Blue Devils lost to Eastern earlier in the day.

Junior infielder Jackson Hornung has been the hot bat leading the Skidmore lineup, hitting .571 through the first seven games and coming off a 3-for-5 game against UW-Stout with two doubles and two RBIs. Beyond Hornung, the Thoroughbreds have five hitters with an average over .300 who have appeared in at least six games this season in first-year infielder Trey Bourque (.450), junior infielder Brendan O'Neill (.438), junior outfielder Danny Melillo (.421), junior infielder Max Mello (.391), and senior infielder Snyder Williams (.316).

Against UW-Stout, all six hitters combined for 17 of Skidmore's 18 hits and 10 of the team's 11 RBIs. All six players have combined for two home runs and 50 runs batted in this season with Hornung leading the way with one round-tripper and 14 RBIs. Max Mello accounts for the other Thoroughbred home run and 11 RBIs.

For Eastern, senior third baseman Luke Broadhurst (Stafford) and senior catcher Matt Malcom (East Lyme) asserted themselves on the first day in Florida. Broadhurst narrowly missed a home run off the top of the wall which ended up being his second triple of the season after lacing a two-run double early on against UW-Stout. The third baseman has hit safely in four straight games after going 0-for-2 in the first game of the season against Hood College to raise his batting average to .412 in five games this year.

For Malcom, his moment came against UW-Stout when he hit a no-doubt home run to plate three runs in the sixth inning, breaking open the Warrior's lead against the Blue Devils. The catcher has played in four games this season, batting .444 with a team-leading .889 slugging percentage and 1.556 on-base plus slugging percentage heading into Tuesday morning.

As effective as the Skidmore College hitters have been, pitching effectively against an Eastern team hitting to the tune of a collective .313 batting average will be crucial. The Thoroughbred pitching has given up 35 runs (31 earned) in seven games this season resulting in a 5.97 ERA.

Leading the way for Skidmore's pitching staff is junior right-hander Jack Clark who has allowed one run (no earned runs) on six hits while accumulating 13 strikeouts and three walks. Clark pitched seven innings on Sunday against Wisconsin Lutheran, earning a complete-game shutout.

After another stellar outing by junior right-hander Billy Oldham (Brookfield) on Monday, the Warriors are likely to turn to one of three options to start against the Thoroughbreds. Senior right-hander Zach Player (East Hampton), who is looking to reemerge in the rotation this season, along with senior left-hander Aidan Dunn (Westfield), and senior right-hander Bryan Albee (Killingly) have all started this year for Eastern and proven they are viable options for head coach Brian Hamm to give the ball to on Tuesday morning.

First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 AM at the Terry Park Sports Complex in Fort Myers, Florida. To follow all the action live, click on the link below to view the real-time statistics for the game or follow @ecsuathletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for game updates.

Live Stats: https://gowarriorathletics.com/sidearmstats/baseball/summary