Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina continues its eight-game homestand on Wednesday, returning to the friendly confines of Childress Field / Hennon Stadium for the front end of the nonconference home-and-home to host Gardner-Webb with first pitch at 3 p.m.
 
Wednesday's game will have live audio coverage through the Catamount Sports Network, streaming online along with live stats at CatamountSports.com. Live updates are also available on X via the handle @CatamountBSB.
 
Western Carolina (14-7) has won three straight and four of its last five games overall entering the week, while Gardner-Webb (12-8) won two of three in its Big South Conference opener last weekend over Longwood. The two teams share a common opponent: Appalachian State. WCU thumped the Mountaineers 13-3 in midweek action in Boone, while the Runnin' Bulldogs swept the three-game weekend series over the Apps in a trio of one-run games, twice going to extra innings.
 
WCU and Gardner-Webb are also scheduled to meet in Boiling Springs on April 21.
 
Pitching Match-Up:
GAWB – Sr. RHP Anthony Hausner – (4 app., 0 GS; 1-0, 5.68 ERA, 6.1 IP, 4K, 1BB)
WCU – Jr. RHP James Fordham – (6 app., 3 GS;1-1, 3.92 ERA, 20.2 IP, 18K, 9BB)
 
About Western Carolina:
The Catamounts are coming off a 4-1-week, boasting wins at Sun Belt-foe and mountain rival Appalachian State, before taking 3-of-4 from Morehead State in Cullowhee. The squad wraps up its eight-game homestand this week, beginning SoCon play this weekend.
 
WCU raised its seasonal batting average to .273 collectively, with four regulars above the .300 threshold. Versatile sophomore infielder Jackson Lyda leads the team with a .348 average, entering the week with an active nine-game reached base safely streak that includes hits in four straight. Wyatt Stanley has a team-best six-game hitting streak, raising his seasonal average to .319.
 
More Catamount Diamond Notes:

• WCU holds an 8-1 lead when leading after six innings – and is 7-1 when leading after seven, while boasting a 7-0 lead when leading after eight innings;
• The Catamounts have held 10 opponents without a home run in a game this season, holding a 9-1 record in those contests – meanwhile, WCU has homered in 15 of its 21 games;
• Three Catamounts – Wyatt Stanley, Walker Fox, and Trent Turner – each have a team-best four home runs on the season as WCU has 24 total round-trippers this season;
• WCU's pitching staff has a combined 4.62 ERA through 21 games, fourth in the SoCon … the Catamounts have combined for 178 strikeouts, third-most in the league this season, including a SoCon-best 59 strikeouts looking;
• WCU has earned THREE weekly awards from the Southern Conference this season – Noah Quarless (Feb. 16) collected top player honors in week one, with the pitching staff tallying back-to-back honors between Mason Snyder (March 9) and Carter Burnette (March 16).

Midseason has Gone to the 'Dogs:
Wednesday's game opens a string of eight-straight games against "Bulldogs" on WCU's schedule. The Catamounts face the Runnin' Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb, the Samford Bulldogs this weekend to open league play, the mountain-rival UNC Asheville Bulldogs next Tuesday on the road, before traveling to Charleston, S.C., against The Citadel Bulldogs in SoCon play.
 
Scouting the Runnin' Bulldogs:
Gardner-Webb (12-8) comes to Cullowhee looking to build on a two-game win streak, snapping a four-game slide since a 19-5 win over Oklahoma State, its lone road victory in six tries this season (1-5). The Runnin' Bulldogs have played six one-run games this season, posting a 4-2 record in the close affairs.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs are batting a Big South-leading .303 collectively as a team, with four regulars batting above the .300 mark. They average seven runs on 9.85 hits per game, collecting 57 extra-base hits, including 41 doubles (t-1st in Big South), three triples, and 13 home runs. GWU is surrendering an average of 6.6 runs on 9.9 hits per game, allowing 47 doubles, five triples, and 14 homers.
 
GWU has earned two Big South Players of the Week to date, with Zack Thompson (Feb. 17) and Kelvin Agosto (March 10) earning honors this spring. The Runnin' Bulldogs were picked eighth in the nine-team Big South Conference preseason poll, just behind Longwood, whom they took 2-of-3 from over the weekend.
 
Gardner-Webb Leaders:

• Kelvin Agosto – leads the Big South, .417 average with 30 hits and 21 RBI (5th)
• Merik Carter – leads GWU, 3rd in the Big South with a .505 on-base percentage
• Matt Ilgenfritz – ranks third in the Big South with a team-best 22 RBI

 
Western Carolina vs. Gardner-Webb – Series History:
The Catamounts and Runnin' Bulldogs have played 37 times previously on the baseball diamond, with WCU leading the series, 22-14-1, winning 12 of the 20 games played in Cullowhee all-time (12-7-1).
 
The two teams met four times a season ago, with WCU winning three, each coming at home and two coming in run-ruled decisions. GWU won in Boiling Springs, 11-4, before the Catamounts claimed the next three wins at 9-5, 12-1 in eight innings, and 19-7 in seven innings in the most recent matchup.
 
On Deck for Western Carolina:
The Catamounts wrap up the stretch of eight-straight at home this weekend as WCU opens Southern Conference play, welcoming the preseason favorite Samford Bulldogs to Cullowhee for a three-game series. The trio of games opens on Friday at 5 p.m., with a special replica jersey giveaway for WCU students, courtesy of The Everson. Saturday is billed as "Little League and Scout Day" at the ballpark, presented by Todd Baucom Realty, with first pitch at 2 p.m., before concluding Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
Friday and Sunday are scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required), with audio available on the Catamount Sports Network for Saturday's game.
 
Keep track of everything related to Catamount baseball and WCU Athletics through social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/CatamountSports), Twitter (@Catamounts, @CatamountBSB), and Instagram (wcu_catamounts, catamountbsb).