Bulldog Baseball Set to Host High Point This Weekend

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The UNC Asheville baseball team begins a seven-game homestand Friday afternoon when the Bulldogs host High Point University in Big South Conference action at Greenwood Field. The three-game series with the Panthers begins Friday at 3 p.m., followed by a single game on Saturday at 2 p.m. and finishing Sunday at 1 p.m. The games are scheduled to be video-streamed, weather permitting, and can be seen for a small fee at www.uncabulldogs.com.

Asheville (13-20, 5-7 BSC) enters this weekend's action with a three-game winning streak. The Bulldogs knocked off mountain rival Western Carolina Tuesday night, 7-4 and then won at Wofford, 4-0 Wednesday evening. The streak began last Sunday when Asheville stopped a five-game losing streak with a 2-1 decision at Winthrop.

"We've done a nice job with our pitching the past three games and that's a big reason we've won those games," stated Bulldog coach Tom Smith. "We're going to need that kind of pitching this weekend against a good High Point club."

The Panthers (17-18, 4-8 BSC) swept the Bulldogs last year at High Point. Asheville was dominated that weekend as it lost, 7-1, 9-1 and 17-10.

"They (High Point) have a good team. They've had some close losses in a lot of games but this is a well-coached baseball team that we're going to have to play very well against this weekend," declared Smith.

Asheville is scheduled to pitch junior right-hander Ryan Dull (2-4, 4.74 ERA) on Friday afternoon.

BULLDOG NOTES

High Point has won the last six series' against the Bulldogs with sweeps in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2010. The Panthers have accumulated a 16-2 regular-season record against Asheville during that time. However, the Bulldogs eliminated High Point from the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Big South Tournaments with wins in elimination games.

Asheville is 5-3 in one-run games this year.

The Bulldogs pitching has allowed just two earned runs in the last 28 innings. Asheville's bullpen has not allowed an earned in its last 13 innings.

Asheville is 6-2 in home games this season.

Asheville stole a school-record 12 stolen bases at North Carolina A&T on March 29.

Sophomore infielder Robert McIntosh is Asheville's top hitter with a .353 average. He also leads the club in slugging percentage (.451), on-base percentage (.421), runs scored (20) and doubles (9).

Danny Baatz leads Asheville in stolen bases with 10. He led the Bulldogs last season with just eight.

Junior right-hander Ryan Dull has pitched two complete games this year.