BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Gardner-Webb returns to Bill Masters Field at John Henry Moss Stadium, hosting Longwood in a three-game Big South Conference series beginning Thursday afternoon.
 
Gardner-Webb (7-10, 6-4 Big South) enters the weekend having won four of its last five contests, taking a midweek decision at UNC Asheville, 6-3, before sweeping High Point over the weekend, 6-3, 5-4, 5-3, and then falling at #14 South Carolina, 9-4, Tuesday night.
 
Cam Pearcey leads the Runnin' Bulldogs with a.326 batting average, collecting three doubles, one triple, and two home runs with six RBI.  He's also the team leader in stolen bases, going a perfect 5-for-5 on the base paths.  Keiji Parkhurst leads GWU with five home runs and 14 RBI, as well as a .571 slugging percentage.  Reigning Big South Player of the Week Mitch McLendon leads the team with 19 base hits and 12 runs scored.
 
On the mound, Mason Miller leads Gardner-Webb with a 2-1 record in five starts, posting a 3.03 ERA with a team-high 35 strikeouts in 32.2 innings of work.  Kyle Ruehlman, who tossed a complete game at High Point this past Sunday, has fanned four batters in 17.0 innings of work, forging a 5.82 ERA, while fellow projected starter Bobby Alcock has fanned seven batters in 11.0 innings of work, posting a 1-1 record and 6.55 ERA.  Out of the bullpen, Kyle Skidmore leads the 'Dogs with eight appearances, fanning eight batters while allowing just one run in 8.0 innings for a low 1.12 ERA.
 
Longwood (8-13, 2-6 Big South) enters the weekend after dropping a pair of games at Richmond this past Saturday.  The Lancers have dropped six of their last seven games, with the last win taking place on March 20, a 7-3 decision in the second game of a doubleheader against Winthrop.
 
Jack Schnell paced the Lancers at the plate, batting .343 with three doubles and a home run and 12 RBI.  Hunter Gilliam follows, entering the weekend with a .329 batting average with a team-high 26 base hits, six doubles, three triples, one home run and 16 RBI.
 
On the mound, Longwood is led by Andrew Melnyk, who has tossed a team-high 31.1 innings, fanning 23 batters with just nine walks issued to post a 4.60 ERA.  With six starts on the season, Melnyk has yet to record a decision.  Andrew Potojecki has worked 22.2 innings with a 3.97 ERA and 1-2 record, while Dillon Champagne looks to be the Lancers' primary closer, recording three saves in six appearances, hurling 4.2 innings with a 9.64 ERA.
 
The series opens Thursday with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 pm, with action wrapping up Friday afternoon at 1:00 pm. Live stats for each game will be provided by StatBroadcast (GWUStats.com).
 

PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
Thursday Game One – RHP Mason Miller (2-1) vs. LHP Andrew Melnyk (0-0)
Thursday Game Two– RHP Bobby Alcock (1-1) vs. LHP Sean Gibbons (0-0)
Friday - RHP Kyle Ruehlman (1-0) vs. RHP Colton Hutt (1-2)