ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — High Point visits UNC Asheville on Thursday, May 14, in a Big South Conference baseball series opener at Greenwood Baseball Field. First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon.

The Panthers (34-17) enter with a 14-game advantage over the Bulldogs (20-32) in the overall standings. High Point swept Winthrop in its most recent series, outscoring the Eagles 27-14 over three games. The Panthers have won seven of their last 10 contests.

UNC Asheville comes off a series win at Radford, taking two of three games. The Bulldogs have dropped seven of their last 10 overall.

Weather: 70 degrees, clear.

Players to watch

High Point designated hitter SeoJun Oh has been the Panthers’ most consistent run producer. Over his last six games, Oh is batting .320 (8-for-25) with three home runs and seven RBIs. He went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs in Sunday’s 11-3 win over Winthrop. Oh also homered in the 7-3 victory on May 9. In the series opener May 8, a 9-8 win in 10 innings, he drove in another run.

For UNC Asheville, right-handed pitcher Lucas Boesen delivered a dominant start in Sunday’s 6-4 win at Radford. Boesen threw 6⅓ innings, allowing no hits and three earned runs while striking out five. In his previous outing May 5 against Western Carolina, he went seven innings with no hits allowed, four earned runs and six strikeouts. Over his last three starts, Boesen has a 4.91 ERA across 18⅔ innings, with 16 strikeouts and opponents batting .152 against him.

Recent results

High Point — Sunday: def. Winthrop 11-3. Saturday: def. Winthrop 7-3. Friday: def. Winthrop 9-8 (10). Tuesday: def. UNC Wilmington 2-1. Last six: 4-2.

UNC Asheville — Sunday: def. Radford 6-4. Saturday: def. Radford 4-2. Friday: lost to Radford 9-5. Tuesday: lost at Western Carolina 4-1. Last six: 2-4.

Outlook

Interstat’s game simulator projects High Point to win 7-4. The Panthers hold the edge in hitting (.299 team average) and pitching (4.12 ERA). UNC Asheville’s offense averages 5.6 runs per game but its pitching staff carries a 7.18 ERA.

The teams continue the three-game series Friday and Saturday, both at Greenwood Baseball Field in Asheville.