HIGH POINT, N.C. (Interstat) — The High Point Panthers host the Longwood Lancers in a Big South baseball game Saturday at 6 p.m. at George S. Erath Field at Coy O. Williard Baseball Stadium. The forecast calls for 63-degree temperatures and clouds.

High Point (29-15) enters the weekend with a three-game advantage over Longwood (26-18) in the overall standings. The Panthers have won four of their last five, while the Lancers have dropped three of their last four.

The game follows a series opener Friday, when High Point beat Longwood in the first of the three-game set.

Pitchers to watch

Longwood right-hander Jackson Nash (4.0 IP, 0 H, 2 ER, 4 K in his most recent start April 28 at VMI) has been effective in longer outings but inconsistent in relief. In his past five appearances, he has worked 8.2 innings, allowing 3 earned runs on 3 hits with 11 strikeouts. His ability to work deep into the game could be critical for a Longwood bullpen that has been stretched recently.

High Point’s Jack Carey (3.0 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 1 K on April 28 at Campbell) has been steady in relief, allowing only 2 earned runs over his last 10 innings, spanning four appearances. He has surrendered just 1 hit in that stretch and has not walked a batter in his past two outings. Carey is expected to be available out of the bullpen for the Panthers.

Recent form

Longwood is coming off a 3-0 loss at VMI on April 28. Pitchers Cameron Freeman (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K) and Drew Siegner (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K) combined for two scoreless relief innings. The Lancers have split their last 10 games, going 5-5.

High Point fell 5-4 at Campbell on April 28. In that game, second baseman Frank Kelly went 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs, and reliever Mateo Wells tossed 2.1 scoreless innings with 2 strikeouts. The Panthers have won seven of their last 10.

Projection

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-5 High Point victory, a margin that reflects the Panthers’ slight edge in overall record and home-field advantage.

Up next

The teams conclude the series Sunday. Longwood then hosts Richmond on Tuesday before a three-game home set against Charleston Southern. High Point travels to UNC Wilmington on Tuesday, then hosts Winthrop for a three-game series beginning Friday.