WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (Interstat) — Monmouth hosts North Carolina A&T in a Colonial Athletic Association doubleheader Friday, beginning in the afternoon and concluding in the evening at Monmouth Baseball Field.

The Hawks (28-20 overall) enter the matchup having defeated the Aggies 14-4 on Thursday, the first of a four-game series. Monmouth has won three of its last four and sits comfortably above .500 in the season’s final weeks. North Carolina A&T (13-37) has lost 10 of its last 11 games and continues to struggle at the plate and on the mound.

The forecast calls for 60 degrees with clouds.

Players to watch

North Carolina A&T shortstop Reginald Tuggle has been the Aggies’ most consistent hitter. In Thursday’s loss, he went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs. Over his last 10 games, Tuggle is hitting .385 (10-for-26) with two homers and four RBIs. He also homered in a 4-1 win against UNC Asheville on April 21.

Monmouth first baseman Chris Walsh also had a strong showing Thursday, going 2-for-5 with three RBIs in the win. Walsh has five RBIs in his last two games and homered in consecutive games at Hofstra on May 8. For the season, he has provided steady production in the middle of the Monmouth order.

Recent form

The Aggies have lost seven straight series and have been outscored 79-38 over their last six games. Pitching remains a concern: in Thursday’s game, starter Joshua Hauser allowed seven earned runs in 4 1/3 innings, and the bullpen has little margin for error.

Monmouth, meanwhile, has shown offensive firepower. The Hawks scored 18 runs at Hofstra on May 10 and have plated double-digit runs in three of their last seven games. Their pitching, led by Ryan Mealy (5 2/3 innings, three earned runs on Thursday), has been reliable at home.

Head-to-head

Thursday’s 14-4 Monmouth victory was decisive. The Hawks broke open a close game late, and Walsh was one of five Monmouth players with multiple hits.

Projection

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-2 Monmouth win in Friday’s opener.

Both teams will return to West Long Branch for another game Saturday.