Four-game series in Alabama with Samford University

Undefeated BYU baseball travels to unbeaten Samford University in a four-game series in Birmingham, Alabama that starts Thursday.

The Cougars and Bulldogs each have 4-0 records after last week’s season openers. BYU is off to its best start since 1998.

“We're looking forward getting down to Birmingham and face a team from that part of the country,” BYU coach Mike Littlewood said. “Samford is a big, strong team that has pop all throughout its lineup. They are off to a good start and we definitely have our work cut out for us.”

Samford was picked to win the Southern Conference by the league coaches and Perfect Game. Samford outfielder Heath Quinn was named the Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week, while BYU outfielder Brennon Lund was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Week.

Both Quinn and Lund went 10-for-16 last week, but Lund’s was a three-game total against Saint Louis University, while Quinn accomplished that feat in four games and hit for the cycle in one of those contests against Butler University.

Right-handers Michael Rucker (1-0, 3.00) and Maverik Buffo (1-0, 0.00) are BYU’s probable starters for Thursday and Friday’s games that start at 2 p.m. CST. Lefty Hayden Rogers (1-0, 1.50) is scheduled to pitch in Friday’s nightcap and Littlewood is undecided who will pitch for the Cougars in Saturday’s noon finale.

After the Samford series, BYU’s team will participate in a Saturday night fireside in Birmingham before flying home to get ready for next week’s three-game series at Kansas.