Games 47-49: Longwood (19-27, 7-11) at Gardner-Webb (20-28, 6-15)
Friday, May 8 – Sunday, May 10 • 6 p.m. • 6 p.m. • 2 p.m.
Boiling Springs, N.C.. • John Henry Moss Stadium
 
Broadcast Schedule
Friday – Sunday • Big South Network
 
Full Series Notes (PDF)
 
LEADING OFF
• Longwood heads to Boiling Springs, N.C. for the penultimate Big South series of the season.
• The Lancers are looking to lock up a spot in the Big South Championships in two-weeks' time. A series victory for the Lancers would eliminate Gardner-Webb from postseason contention.
• The blue and white will also be looking to avenge last season's sweep at the hands of the Runnin' Bulldogs.
• Junior Kyri Washington continues to swing a hot bat as he is hitting at a .407 clip with four home runs in the past eight games.
• In that same span, Washington has driven in an impressive 15 runs, tops on the team.
• Luke Simpson will join the rotation for the first time in conference play after a solid 5 1/3 innings at NC State, allowing just a pair of earned runs.
 
SCOUTING THE RUNNIN' BULLDOGS
• Gardner-Webb enters its final Big South series of the season needing at least two wins to stay in the chase for a tournament berth.
• The Runnin' Bulldogs lean heavily on an impressive pitching staff which boasts a team ERA of 3.95. Meanwhile, Gardner-Webb struggles at th plate hitting just .239 as a team.
• The Runnin' Bulldogs are led offensively by Ryan Hodge. The senior is hitting at a .308 clip and is the only player to start all 48 games for the red and black.
• On the mound, Erik Helingstadt leads the rotation out on Friday nights. The redshirt-senior is 4-5 on the season with a 3.67 ERA and is tied with Matt Fraudin for the team lead in innings pitched at 76.0.
• Out of the bullpen, Wil Sellers has been strong in 16 appearances as the rookie holds a 2.43 ERA in nearly 30 innings of work.
• The Runnin' Bulldogs come into the weekend after dropping two of three to Campbell and has now lost six of its last seven games.
• Gardner-Webb is 14-14 on its home turf, but is just 2-7 in Big South play at home.
 
CRUNCH TIME
• Longwood's trip to Boiling Springs, N.C. marks the front end of the final two series in Big South action for 2015.
• The Lancers are looking to lock up a spot in the Big South Championships coming up in two weeks' time.
• Ironically, with a series victory or sweep the blue and white may be able to secure its spot on the very field which will host the conference tournament.
• Meanwhile, Gardner-Webb will be in full desperation mode as the Runnin' Bulldogs must win at least two of this weekend's games to keep their postseason hopes alive.
• If the Lancers were to win the series with Gardner-Webb, two losses from Presbyterian, who takes on Winthrop over the weekend, would give the blue and white a guaranteed spot in the tournament.

#GoWood