Elon, North Carolina A&T Set for Colonial Athletic Association Series Opener

GREENSBORO, N.C. (Interstat) — The Elon Phoenix and North Carolina A&T Aggies open a three-game Colonial Athletic Association series on Friday, with both teams looking to gain momentum in a matchup of struggling squads.

Elon (11-17) visits North Carolina A&T (8-19) for a 6 p.m. first pitch. The Phoenix took two of three games from the Aggies in a non-conference series in early March, winning 8-3 and 11-8 after dropping the opener 2-1.

A key player for Elon will be pitcher Cole Miller. The right-hander delivered a strong relief outing in his last appearance, throwing five innings and allowing two earned runs in an 8-7, 10-inning win over Queens (N.C.) on Tuesday. Over his last four appearances spanning 11.1 innings, Miller has allowed just two earned runs.

The Aggies counter with a hot hitter in shortstop JT Taylor. He is coming off a 2-for-4, three-RBI performance in a 16-6 rout of Gardner-Webb on Tuesday. In his last 10 games, Taylor is batting .333 (10-for-30) with six RBIs.

Both teams are seeking consistency. Elon snapped a three-game skid with its extra-inning win Tuesday. North Carolina A&T has won three of its last four, including a series victory over Georgetown last weekend.

Statistical projections offer a split verdict. Interstat’s game simulator predicts a 5-2 Aggies victory, while its ELO rating system gives Elon a 61.9% probability to win.

The series continues Saturday and Sunday at North Carolina A&T’s World War Memorial Stadium.

Elon’s next 10 games include a midweek trip to Gardner-Webb and a home series against William & Mary. North Carolina A&T’s upcoming schedule features a home-and-home with High Point and a road series at the College of Charleston.