Preview: Quinnipiac Bobcats at UNC Greensboro Spartans

GREENSBORO, N.C. (Interstat) — The UNC Greensboro Spartans look to build on a decisive midweek victory when they host the Quinnipiac Bobcats in nonconference baseball action Friday evening at UNCG Baseball Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under partly cloudy skies with a game-time temperature near 78 degrees.

The Spartans (5-8) enter riding high after a 13-1 road win at North Carolina A&T on Tuesday. Key contributors from that game, including designated hitter Jacob Dilley (2 for 3, 4 RBIs) and second baseman Jake Barbour (3 for 4, 2 RBIs), will look to continue that offensive momentum.

UNC Greensboro will send right-hander Isaac Miles to the mound. Miles (1-1, 3.86 ERA) is coming off a dominant performance, tossing five scoreless innings with four strikeouts in the win over the Aggies. In his prior start against Wake Forest on Feb. 24, he struggled, allowing four earned runs in 3 1/3 innings.

The visiting Bobcats (2-7) seek to halt a three-game skid after being swept in a weekend series at East Tennessee State. Quinnipiac dropped the finale 16-5 on Sunday despite a home run and two RBIs from third baseman Peyton Vancas.

Quinnipiac’s projected starter, right-hander Andrew Rubayo, has been a bright spot despite an 0-2 record. He has not allowed a hit over his last 11 innings pitched, spanning two starts. On March 1 at ETSU, he went five innings, yielding four earned runs with three strikeouts. On Feb. 21 at North Florida, he struck out eight over six innings while giving up two earned runs.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the contest is projected to be a tight one, with a predicted final score of UNC Greensboro 4, Quinnipiac 3.

The teams are scheduled to continue the series with games on Saturday and Sunday at the same venue.