Aggies Host Runnin’ Bulldogs in Midweek Rematch

GREENSBORO, N.C. (Interstat) — The North Carolina A&T Aggies look to secure a season sweep when they host the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs in non-conference baseball action Tuesday at World War Memorial Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. EDT.

The Aggies (7-19) edged the Runnin’ Bulldogs (13-15) 10-6 in Boiling Springs just last Tuesday, part of a challenging stretch for both teams. North Carolina A&T is coming off a 3-2 series win over Georgetown, capped by a 3-2 victory Sunday. Gardner-Webb seeks to halt a five-game skid after being swept at home by High Point over the weekend.

A key matchup will feature Gardner-Webb’s power against a stout Aggies bullpen. Runnin’ Bulldogs first baseman Matt Ilgenfritz has been a bright spot during the losing streak, homering in two of his last five games. He went 1 for 4 with a two-run homer in Sunday’s 15-4 loss to High Point and is 8 for 25 (.320) with four home runs and 11 RBIs over his last 10 contests.

For the Aggies, reliever Kobie Cushing has been dominant. The right-hander earned the win Sunday with five scoreless innings of one-hit ball, striking out three against Georgetown. Over his last four appearances, he has allowed just one earned run in 10 innings pitched, fanning 10 batters.

Gardner-Webb’s offense, averaging 5.6 runs per game, will try to solve an A&T pitching staff that has been inconsistent but showed resilience in the Georgetown series. The Aggies’ staff has a collective 7.82 ERA.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the contest projects to be a tight, low-scoring affair with a predicted final score of North Carolina A&T 4, Gardner-Webb 3.

Following Tuesday’s game, Gardner-Webb opens a Big South Conference series at UNC Asheville on Thursday. North Carolina A&T begins a three-game set against Elon at home on Friday.