Leading Off
The Omaha baseball team plays its third consecutive weekend series at home, hosting Western Illinois for three games, April 1-3. First pitch all three days is set for 1 p.m. at the Ballpark at Boys Town, and links to live stats and audio will be available on OMavs.com. Student broadcasters Noah Sullinger, Justin Idelman and Max Edmonds will have the call on the MavRadio.fm broadcasts, and fans may also access the audio on their smartphones by downloading the TuneIn Radio app.

Quick Hits
•Senior infielder Clayton Taylor leads the nation with 41 RBI. He drove in five runs vs. North Dakota State on Sunday, the most of any Maverick in a single game this season.
•Senior outfielder Cole Gruber also scored five runs against the Bison on Sunday, the most of any UNO player in a single game this year.
•Taylor's team-leading and career-long 15-game hitting streak came to an end Tuesday night at K-State.
•Gruber (.420), Taylor (.385) and sophomore infielder Ryan Cate (.359) own the three highest batting averages in the Summit League. Gruber also led the league for average in 2015.
•Gruber became Omaha's all-time career stolen base leader on March 9 at Air Force, while senior right-hander Tyler Fox became UNO's all-time leader for innings pitched on March 18 vs. Fort Wayne and batters faced on March 25 vs. North Dakota State.
•On Feb. 20, head coach Bob Herold earned his 500th career victory in 17 seasons of directing the Omaha program.
•The 2016 season marks Omaha's first with full NCAA Division I postseason eligibility for the Summit League and NCAA Tournaments. The Mavericks completed a required four-year Division I reclassification period from 2012 to 2015.
•The Mavericks return 18 letterwinners, including five position starters: Gruber, Taylor, Cate, senior outfielder Alex Schultz and senior catcher Collin Leif. Two starting pitchers also return with Fox and junior right-hander Shane Meltz.
•Four All-Summit selections highlight the Mavericks' returning corps with Taylor, Gruber, Schultz and Fox.
•UNO was picked fourth in the Summit League Preseason Coaches' Poll.
•Omaha is 226-249 against all opponents on the schedule this year and 131-110 all-time against the five other teams in the Summit League. The Mavericks have compiled a 51-32 record in Summit League play since 2012-13.

Scouting the Western Illinois Leathernecks
Western Illinois enters the weekend with a record of 6-16 (4-2 Summit League) after suffering a midweek setback to Illinois-Springfield on Tuesday, 13-5 in Macomb, Ill. Last weekend, the Leathernecks took two of three games in a home league series against South Dakota State. Conner Currier leads the Leathernecks with a .317 batting average, while Chris Tschida has a team-high 16 RBI.

Head coach Ryan Brownlee (Evansville, 1997) is in his fourth season at Western Illinois with a record of 63-118 overall.

Omaha leads the all-time series against Western Illinois, 14-4, after the two teams split last year's season series, 3-3. The Leathernecks won the last meeting 5-4on May 10, 2015 in Macomb, while UNO won the last tilt at the Ballpark at Boys Town with a 17-8 victory on April 5, 2015.

Last Time Out: Kansas State Drops Mavericks, 11-3
Omaha visited Kansas State for a non-conference matchup Tuesday night, falling 11-3 at Tointon Family Stadium. Junior right-hander Brett Sasse (1-3) took the loss for UNO, allowing five runs on eight hits and a walk with one strikeout in 2.2 innings of work. Logan Wiley (2-1) earned the win for K-State, tossing 5.0 shutout innings with three hits and a walk.

Freshman Riley Herold finished 1-for-2 with a double, a walk and an RBI.

K-State's offense exploded for a season-high 17 hits, helped by three apiece from Clayton Dalrymple (3-for-4, two runs, one RBI), Steve Serratore (3-for-3, two runs, one RBI) and Jake Wodtke (3-for-3, one run, five RBI).

Breaking Out the Bats
UNO has put together a big offensive start to Summit League play in its first two series vs. Fort Wayne and North Dakota State, as the Mavericks have hit .360 as a team with 52 runs, 49 RBI and 33 walks. All 11 Mavericks who have started a conference game have registered at least one hit and scored at least one run.

As a team, the Mavericks have hit .284 in non-conference games and .360 in league contests. They have also increased their team slugging percentage from .375 to .515 and their on-base percentage from .349 to .459 in conference play.

Omaha's league batting burst has been led by three .500 hitters: senior Cole Gruber at .636, sophomore Ryan Cate at .571 and senior Clayton Taylor at .500. The trio has combined for 23 runs scored, 24 runs driven in and 12 extra-base hits over six league games.

Better on the Bump
While Omaha's offense has come alive in Summit League play, so has its pitching staff. In non-conference games, UNO's staff has a 6.03 ERA but has lowered that to 3.40 in league contests. Omaha hurlers have also gone from a 1.84:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio to 2.75:1 in Summit League games, also lowering their walks per game from 3.3 to 2.0.

Clayton's the Catalyst
Omaha is a perfect 10-0 this season when senior Clayton Taylor registers a multi-hit game. The Mount Michael product is a catalyst for the Mavericks' offensive production, hitting a team-high .500 with runners on base, and he has success advancing runners nearly 64 percent of the time. In games when Taylor has at least two hits, UNO as a team averages 10.0 runs scored per game.

Climbing the Career Charts
Seniors Cole Gruber, Clayton Taylor and Alex Schultz have been four-year starters at Omaha and have steadily climbed their way up the UNO career charts. Gruber is first in school history for stolen bases (82), fifth for career hits (211) and walks (85), seventh for runs scored (139), eighth for games started (161) and ninth for at-bats (593).

Taylor is fourth for RBI (149), fifth for home runs (25), sixth for hits (202) and walks (84), seventh for doubles (40) and games started (163) and eighth for at-bats (595).

Schultz is fifth for games started (170) and at-bats (648), eighth for hits (195) and doubles (38) and ninth for runs scored (135) and walks (81).

Stealing the Spotlight
Senior Cole Gruber has made a name for himself in the Summit League for his sneaky work on the basepaths, as he led the league with 34 stolen bases in 2014 and was second with 22 swiped bags in 2015. Gruber has steadily worked his way up Omaha's career stolen bases chart, and on March 9 at Air Force became the Mavericks' all-time career stolen base leader. He registered two in the game, passing previous record holder Bryan Frew, who had 72 from 2005-08.

Gruber's career mark is now up to 82, and he ranks seventh in Summit League history.

What Does the Fox Say?
Senior right-handed pitcher Tyler Fox is back as Omaha's Friday starter in 2016, and he has been the Mavericks' most celebrated hurler over the last three seasons. The Thornton, Colo., native was the 2014 Summit League Pitcher of the Year and an All-Summit selection as a sophomore, and he has led UNO in both strikeouts and innings pitched each of the last two years. His 93.2 innings thrown as a junior were the third-highest single-season total in school history, behind only Ben Percival (100.1) in 2009 and Troy Cloyd (96.0) in 2005.

Fox has compiled a career record of 25-8 with a 3.04 ERA. On March 18, he became Omaha's all-time leader for career innings pitched, passing former Maverick Mike Metz (1975-78), who had 255.2. In addition to his 266.1 innings pitched, Fox also ranks first in school history for batters faced (1,118), second for wins (25) and games started (45) and sixth for strikeouts (196).

League Leaders
Senior infielder Clayton Taylor leads the Summit League in home runs (seven), RBI (41), total bases (63), on-base percentage (.500) and slugging percentage (.692). Senior outfielder Cole Gruber also paces the league for batting average (.420), hits (42), runs scored (31), stolen bases (20) and on-base percentage (.496). Senior Collin Leif is first for hit-by-pitches (seven), as is senior Alex Schultz for at-bats (104) and doubles (nine). Junior infielder Sam Palensky is first in assists (83), and on the mound, senior Tyler Fox has the league lead for wins (five).

As a team, Omaha leads the league in batting average (.301), runs (152), hits (262), RBI (133), total bases (354), on-base percentage (.376), slugging percentage (.407) and stolen bases (34).

Stacking Up Nationally
In the latest NCAA statistical release, senior infielder Clayton Taylor leads the nation in for RBI (41) and is second for RBI per game (1.64). Senior outfielder Cole Gruber is third for stolen bases (20), sixth for stolen bases per game (0.80), eighth for hits (42), 14th for runs (31), 21st for runs per game (1.24) and 23rd for batting average (.420). Senior right-hander Tyler Fox is also sixth for wins (five).

Murph on the Mound
Junior left-handed pitcher Sam Murphy returned to the mound for the first time in nearly a year on Feb. 20, picking up the win in UNO's 2-1 victory over Eastern Michigan. The Lake Worth, Fla., native threw three innings of scoreless relief, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out two. Murphy had been sidelined since early in the 2015 season due to injury.

On March 4 at Grand Canyon, Murphy earned his first save of the season, throwing 2.0 innings and holding the Lopes to one run on three hits with three strikeouts.

On March 20 vs. Fort Wayne, Murphy earned the win in the opener, tossing 5.0 shutout innings in his start. He limited the Mastodons to five singles with no walks and four strikeouts. Over his last four appearances, Murphy has allowed just one earned run in 17.1 innings of work, and he threw a season-long 6.0 innings last Sunday vs. North Dakota State.

Home Sweet Home Advantage
The 2016 season will see Omaha play 18 home contests, including 15 conference tilts. UNO will play at two venues, with 15 games at the Ballpark at Boys Town and a trio of premier games at Werner Park with Nebraska (April 6), Kansas State (April 20) and Air Force (April 26).

Since moving to Division I in 2011-12, UNO has enjoyed a combined record of 42-31 at home.

Gruber Garners Weekly Summit League Recognition
Senior outfielder Cole Gruber was named Summit League Baseball Player of the Week for his performances the week of March 21-27, the conference office announced Monday.

Gruber collects his first player of the week honor this season and the second award of his career. He batted .700 with a .769 on-base percentage and a 1.000 slugging percentage last weekend, tallying eight runs, one RBI, one double, one triple, three walks and five steals. The Papillion-LaVista product was 4-for-4 in Sunday's win over North Dakota State with a double, a walk, five runs scored and two stolen bases.

Senior infielder Clayton Taylor was previously honored as Summit League Player of the Week on Feb. 22 and March 14. Senior Tyler Fox was named Summit League Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 29, and sophomore Corey Binger earned the same award March 14.

Binger's Mission: Complete
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Corey Binger had a standout mound effort March 12, tossing a complete game three-hitter in Omaha's 10-1 victory over Bowling Green. Binger gave up one run and struck out six to improve to 3-0 on the season. The last Maverick to throw a complete game was Tyler Fox in his final appearance last season, May 22, 2015 against Incarnate Word.

For the season, Binger is a perfect 4-0 on the mound. He has a 3.98 ERA with 25 strikeouts to seven walks for a 3.57:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Flattery Finds Relief Role in League Play
Sophomore right-hander David Flattery has thrown 7.0 straight shutout innings over his last two appearances in relief, scattering five singles and issuing no walks in the two league games. The Fort Dodge, Iowa, native's efforts earned him his first career save vs. Fort Wayne on March 20.

Production Up Top
Omaha's 1-3 batters in the lineup this year have produced a significant portion of the Mavericks' offense so far, combining to hit .353. The 1-3 hitters have accounted for 40 percent of UNO's hits, including 48 percent of its extra-base hits, as well as 49 percent of all runs scored, 47 percent of all RBI, 52 percent of all walks drawn and 79 percent of all stolen bases.

Turning to the Bullpen
Omaha's bullpen has traditionally held its own late in the game, as the Mavericks are 439-39-1 in the Bob Herold era when leading after the sixth inning. Last season, UNO was 17-5 when holding a lead after the sixth, and this year it is 13-1.

Offense Keying Wins
In the last four seasons (2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016), Omaha has gone a combined 65-11 when outhitting its opponent. Last year alone, UNO was 15-4 in such games, and this season the Mavericks are off to a 9-0 showing.

Over 16 seasons in the Bob Herold era, UNO is 416-72-1 when outhitting the other team.

Double Digits
As a team, Omaha produced double-digit hits in 23 games last season, going 15-8 in those games. This season, UNO is 12-2 with double-digit hits, and the Mavericks posted a season-high 21 hits vs. Saint Louis on Feb. 26.

Over the last five years of Division I play, UNO is a combined 80-31 when keying at least 10 hits.

Herold at the Helm
Head Coach Bob Herold is in his 17th year as the skipper of the Omaha baseball program in 2016, having compiled a career record of 513-364-2. Herold earned his 500th career win on Feb. 20, 2016 against Eastern Michigan, becoming the first coach in school history to reach the milestone. He previously became the winningest coach in UNO history with Omaha's 7-0 shutout at Bradley on April 22, 2014, which gave him his 465th victory.

Over his Maverick career, Herold has guided Omaha to seven NCAA Division II postseason appearances and four conference championships. In 2013 and 2014, he was honored as Summit League Coach of the Year.

Herold's most recent draft pick was right-handed pitcher Joe Holtmeyer, who was taken in the 22nd round (No. 682 overall) of the 2011 Major League Baseball amateur draft by the Boston Red Sox. Holtmeyer was the fifth Maverick drafted under Herold and the second-highest pick of any player during the Herold era.

Herold is assisted by assistant coaches Chris Gadsden, in his 17th year, and Evan Porter, in his fourth year, as well as volunteer assistant coach Dan McGinn, who is in his 15th year.

2016 Slate Takes Mavericks Around the Nation
Omaha's 2016 schedule includes 56 games, and the team will play in 12 states against schools from 12 other Division I conferences. Three opponents – Iowa, Morehead State and defending Summit League champion Oral Roberts – played in the 2015 NCAA Tournament.

Entering the season, the Mavericks had never faced five of their opponents: NJIT, Morehead State, Presbyterian, Bowling Green and Seton Hall. Omaha holds a combined all-time record of 226-249 over all teams on the regular-season slate.

Next Up
Omaha returns to action on Wednesday, April 6, hosting Nebraska. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. at Werner Park, and links to live stats and audio will be available on OMavs.com.