BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb will open 2022 Big South Conference action on Friday afternoon, hosting High Point at 2:00 pm to begin a three-game series.

The opening game start time was adjusted in anticipation of potential wet weather later Friday evening. The opener will stream live on ESPN+, with Saturday and Sunday's games available as an audio stream only.

Gardner-Webb (8-11) has played well on Bill Masters Field of late, going 6-3 over the past two weeks at home. The Runnin' Bulldogs have batted .308 as a team during that time, with right fielder Curtis Robison boosting his average to .323 with four home runs and a team-high 15 RBI through 19 games this season. The Penn State transfer also leads the squad with 10 doubles and has played well defensively with sharp glove work and three outfield assists.

Spectacular defense is the norm for centerfielder Jacob Marcos, but his golden glove has been supported this season by a much improved batting average. The Miami, Fla., speedster is hitting at a .292 clip with nine stolen bases from his leadoff spot. Slugger Bo Rusher III is second on the team with 10 RBI and has five extra base hits in 18 starts.

Gardner-Webb will go with a solid rotation on the mound, with graduate transfer Joe Simeone getting the start on Friday. The Groton, Mass., native twirled a complete-game in Gardner-Webb's 6-2 win over Brown last Friday, fanning a season-high 11 batters in the process.

Reigning Big South Freshman of the Week Tyler Switalski will get another turn on Saturday, fresh off of seven shutout innings and 11 strikeouts in a 2-0 win over Brown last week. Switalski carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning of that 2-0 win.

One of the Big South's top prospects redshirt sophomore Bobby Alcock will take the mound on Sunday. The Lynn, Mass., standout struck out 11 batters in just 5.0 innings of his first start in February, including nine strikeouts over the first three innings of a no decision vs. Bellarmine.

High Point (4-13) is led by Peyton Carr (.276) and Blake Sutton (.275) offensively, with Sutton getting on base at a .457 clip through 17 games. The Panthers will go with right handers Carter Sheppard (Friday) and Teddy Merritt (Saturday), before turning the ball over to southpaw Sam Garcia (Sunday) for his first start of the season. Garcia has been very strong in 16.2 relief innings, fanning 18 batters with only one walk.

High Point Projected Rotation
Carter Sheppard (RHP) – 1-1, 2.16 ERA (16.2 IP), 13 K, 5 BB
Teddy Merritt (RHP) – 1-3, 10.80 ERA (18.1 IP), 20 K, 8 BB
Sam Garcia (LHP) – 1-2, 2.16 ERA (16.2 IP), 18 K, 1 BB

Gardner-Webb Projected Rotation
Joe Simeone (RHP) – 2-2, 4.37 ERA (22.2 IP), 25 K, 11 BB
Tyler Switalski (LHP) – 1-2, 3.38 ERA (16.0 IP), 18 K, 7 BB
Bobby Alcock (RHP) – 0-0, 1.80 ERA (5.0 IP), 11 K, 4 BB