Games #22-24
Lindenwood (9-12, 0-0 OVC)
Vs. Eastern Illinois (6-11, 0-0 OVC)
 
Series Information:
Dates: Friday, March 21-Saturday, March 22
Location: Charleston, Ill.
Venue: Coaches Stadium
Start Times: 2:00 p.m. (Friday), 11:00 a.m. (Saturday – DH)
All-Time Series: Eastern Illinois leads 8-0
Last Meeting : May 18, 2024, Eastern Illinois, 9-3
Live Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: tinyurl.com/3pdunk9m
 
On-Tap
The Lions open OVC play with a three-game set at Eastern Illinois starting on Friday. Lindenwood dropped two of three at Memphis last weekend. Bryson Arnette belted two home runs in the series finale and had four total for the week. The Black and Gold have already surpassed last seasons team home run total and currently have 30 in 2025.

Jake Radosevich continues his hot start to the season as he hit .500 (11/22) across four games last week. He drove in eight runs, while hitting two home runs and three doubles. Sam Grunberg also played a big part in the lone win against Memphis, slugging two home runs and driving in four.
 
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 (.423)
Hits: Kam Edwards (33)
RBI:  Jake Radosevich (21)
ERA: Carson Subbert (2.57)
Strikeouts: Eli Brown (34)
 
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 returns home for a midweek against Bradley on Tuesday, March 25. First pitch is set for 5:00 p.m.