Big South Baseball Preview: Longwood at Gardner-Webb

SHELBY, N.C. (March 12, 2026) (Interstat) — A hot-starting Longwood team visits John Henry Moss Stadium on Friday to open a three-game Big South Conference series against Gardner-Webb.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under clear skies with temperatures around 53 degrees.

The Lancers (13-4) have won 10 of their last 13 games and are coming off an 11-1 rout of George Mason on Tuesday. Longwood’s offense is powered by first baseman Jon Howard, who is batting .333 (10-for-30) with four home runs and 11 RBIs over his last 10 games. He homered twice and drove in three runs in the win over George Mason.

Gardner-Webb (10-7) looks to rebound after a narrow 11-10 loss at Davidson on Tuesday. The Runnin’ Bulldogs have shown resilience, winning three extra-inning games already this season. Third baseman Drew Ripepi provides a spark; he went 2-for-2 with a homer and three RBIs in the Davidson loss and is 6-for-11 (.545) over his last six games played.

Longwood’s recent surge includes a 16-1 win at Alabama State on March 6, but also two losses in a doubleheader at Alabama State the following day. Gardner-Webb took one of three at then-Oklahoma State last weekend, winning 19-5 in the series opener.

The series marks the start of Big South play for both teams. According to Interstat’s game simulator, Friday’s contest projects to be a high-scoring affair, with a predicted final of Longwood 8, Gardner-Webb 7.

The teams will meet again Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. to conclude the series.