Preview: North Carolina A&T at Gardner-Webb

SHELBY, N.C. (Interstat) — The Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs look to get back on track when they host the struggling North Carolina A&T Aggies in non-conference baseball action Tuesday at John Henry Moss Stadium.

First pitch is set for a clear evening with temperatures around 71 degrees.

Gardner-Webb (13-11) enters having dropped two of three in its Big South Conference series at Charleston Southern, including a 14-4 loss Sunday. The Runnin’ Bulldogs’ offense has shown potency, averaging over seven runs per game in their last six contests.

A key bat for the home team is first baseman Matt Ilgenfritz. He homered in two of the three games at Charleston Southern, driving in four runs. For the season, he has been a consistent power threat in the middle of the lineup.

North Carolina A&T (4-18) seeks to end a four-game skid after a heartbreaking 11-10 loss at William & Mary on Sunday, where the Aggies blew a late lead. The Aggies have lost 12 of their last 14 games.

A bright spot for A&T has been reliever Angel Ortiz. In Sunday’s loss, he delivered four hitless innings of relief, allowing one earned run. Over his last five appearances spanning 14 2/3 innings, the right-hander has allowed just eight hits and four earned runs, though command has been an issue at times.

The Aggies’ bullpen will need to contain a Gardner-Webb offense that erupted for 19 runs in a win at Oklahoma State earlier this month. The Runnin’ Bulldogs are 9-4 at home this season.

According to Interstat, Gardner-Webb is projected as a significant favorite with a 62.8% probability to win. The service’s game simulator predicts a 3-2 victory for the Runnin’ Bulldogs.

This is the first of a home-and-home, midweek series between the teams. They are scheduled to meet again next Tuesday, March 31, in Greensboro.

Gardner-Webb opens a three-game home series with High Point on Friday. North Carolina A&T begins a three-game set against Georgetown at home on Friday.