Preview: Gardner-Webb at Oklahoma State

STILLWATER, Okla. (Interstat) — Two teams riding hot starts will battle the elements when the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs visit the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday afternoon at O’Brate Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. under challenging conditions, with a game-time forecast of 32 degrees and snow.

Both teams enter with identical momentum, each having won nine of their last 10 games. Gardner-Webb stands at 9-4 overall after a series of close victories and a midweek loss at Duke. Oklahoma State is 9-3 and coming off a dramatic 8-7 walk-off win over Missouri State on Tuesday.

The Cowboys will look to continue their dominance in the series after shutting out the Runnin’ Bulldogs 8-0 in the opener on Friday night.

A key player to watch for Gardner-Webb is reliever Nicholas Blaszczak. The right-hander has been excellent lately, tossing 2 2/3 scoreless innings over his last two appearances, including a perfect frame with three strikeouts at Duke.

Oklahoma State’s power threat, Colin Brueggemann, will be a focal point for the Bulldogs’ pitching staff. The first baseman launched a grand slam in Tuesday’s win and has two homers and eight RBIs in his last five games played.

The game is part of a three-game weekend set. Gardner-Webb continues its road trip at Davidson on Tuesday. Oklahoma State hosts Dallas Baptist on Tuesday before opening Big 12 play at UCF next weekend.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, this contest projects to be a tight one, with a predicted final score of Oklahoma State 7, Gardner-Webb 6.