Preview: Gardner-Webb at Oklahoma State

STILLWATER, Okla. (Interstat) — Two teams with matching momentum will meet Friday when the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs visit the Oklahoma State Cowboys in nonconference baseball action at O’Brate Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under clear skies with a temperature near 58 degrees.

Both squads carry nine-win records into the weekend series. Gardner-Webb (9-4) has won three of its last four, including a series victory over Appalachian State, but is coming off a 15-3 road loss to Duke on Tuesday. Oklahoma State (9-3) has won eight of its last nine, most recently an 8-7 walk-off win over Missouri State on Tuesday powered by Colin Brueggemann’s grand slam.

Brueggemann, the Cowboys’ first baseman, will be a key figure. After a brief slump, he broke out with four RBIs in his last game. For the season, he is batting .250 with two home runs and nine RBIs.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs will look to reliever Nicholas Blaszczak to stifle Oklahoma State’s bats. The right-hander has been sharp, tossing 2 2/3 scoreless innings over his last two appearances with four strikeouts. He struck out the side in his lone inning at Duke.

Oklahoma State’s pitching staff has been dominant during its hot streak, posting three shutouts in its last seven games. The Cowboys’ team ERA sits at 3.07.

Gardner-Webb has shown resilience, winning extra-inning contests against Appalachian State on Feb. 27 and March 1.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a tight 7-6 victory for Oklahoma State, while its ELO rating system gives the Cowboys an 87.6% probability to win.

This series marks the first meeting between the programs. Following Friday’s contest, the teams will play again Saturday and Sunday at O’Brate Stadium before Gardner-Webb travels to Davidson and Oklahoma State hosts Dallas Baptist next Tuesday.