GEORGE MASON PATRIOTS AT LONGWOOD LANCERS

FARMVILLE, Va. (Interstat) — The surging Longwood Lancers host the George Mason Patriots in a nonconference baseball matchup under clear skies Tuesday evening at Bolding Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. EDT with a forecast temperature of 79 degrees.

Longwood (12-4) enters with one of the region’s hottest records, having won 12 of its last 14 games following a season-opening sweep. The Lancers are coming off a series at Alabama State where they won the opener 16-1 on Friday before dropping a doubleheader Saturday.

George Mason (6-7) looks to rebound after a tough weekend series against Georgetown, losing two of three, including a 5-4 walk-off defeat Sunday.

A key matchup will feature George Mason’s reliable starter Diego Cardenas against Longwood’s bullpen weapon Jackson Nash. Cardenas, a player to watch for the Patriots, has been stellar in two of his last three outings, tossing 5.0 no-hit innings against James Madison on March 3 and 6.0 no-hit innings at Seton Hall on Feb. 22. In his last appearance Sunday, he allowed two earned runs over 4.0 innings.

For Longwood, Nash has been a frequent and effective reliever. In his last four appearances, he has not allowed an earned run in three of them, striking out 11 batters over 10.2 total innings of work.

At the plate, George Mason’s Drew Canody and Owen Clyne are riding momentum from Sunday, each going 3 for 4 with Clyne driving in a run. Longwood’s Jae’dan Carter also had a 3-for-4 performance in Saturday’s game.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, this contest projects to be a high-scoring affair, with a predicted final score of Longwood 7, George Mason 6.

This is the first of a scheduled home-and-home series between the programs this season. They are set to meet again at George Mason on Tuesday, March 24.

George Mason opens Atlantic 10 play at home against Saint Bonaventure this Friday. Longwood begins Big South Conference action on the road at Gardner-Webb on Friday.