HIGH POINT, N.C. - High Point University baseball embarks on its second weekend road series of 2019, looking to put a stop to its current losing streak with a trip to James Madison. This weekend will be just the second time the Panthers have faced the Dukes in a series during the Division I era, falling to JMU at the start of the 2018 campaign. 

High Point enters the weekend with one of the most efficient pitching staffs in the country, averaging just 3.03 BB/9 on the year and a 12.00 K/9 over their past five contests. The Panther bats have gotten going as of late also, recording 10 extra-base knocks in their past five contests. They meet an equally powerful James Madison side that already has 34 XBH and holds an OPS of .758. 

SERIES HISTORY (D1 Era): 
James Madison leads High Point: 3-0

WHAT TO KNOW
Who: James Madison
When: 12 PM, Saturday (DH)
Probables: High Point: RHP Andrew Gottfried (0-2, 9.35) | James Madison: RHP Kevin Kelly (2-1, 1.76)
Where: Veterans Memorial Park | Harrisonburg, Va.
Live Stats

Who: James Madison
When: After Game 1, Saturday (DH)
Probables: High Point: RHP Harrison Smith (0-0, 2.31) | James Madison: RHP Nick Stewart (0-2, 4.15)
Where: Veterans Memorial Park | Harrisonburg, Va.
Live Stats

Who: James Madison
When: 1 PM, Sunday
Probables: High Point: RHP Joe Johnson (0-1, 6.75) | James Madison: LHP Joe Williams (1-0, 1.88)
Where: Veterans Memorial Park | Harrisonburg, Va.
Live Stats

AT THE PLATE
• Going 3-for-5 against Elon last week, Daniel Millwee has opened the 2019 season with a 10-game on base streak. He's slashing .444/.500/.889 over his last two appearances
• HPU tied a season-high in runs against Elon, crossing home plate eight times and out-hitting the Phoenix 9-8
• After opening their first four games of the season without a single home run, the Purple & White have recorded six in their past six contests. Daniel Millwee leads his side with three overall, while JJ Woodard hit his second of the season against Elon this past Tuesday
• Three Panther freshmen made their college debuts over the past week. With a single plate appearance apiece, AJ Holcomb, JP Murphy and Casey Haire all hold an OBP of 1.000
 
ON THE HILL
• Harrison Smith leads the Panthers with 15 strikeouts overall, while his 15.00 K/BB ratio is 14th-best in the nation
• As a pitching staff, the Panthers have issued just 30 walks this season. Their 3.03 BB/9 ranks 27th in Division I baseball
• High Point struck out double-digit batters in all three of its games against William & Mary, the Panther pitching staff is averaging 12.00 K/9 since February 26th
• Right-hander Grey Lyttle earned his first career Big South Reliever of the Week honor this past Monday, he's the second Panther arm to receive the accolade in 2019

SCOUTING THE DUKES
• The Dukes have tallied an 8-4 record this year. Outside a single loss to Lafayette, JMU's only negative results came at the hands of the No. 8 Louisville Cardinals
• James Madison has already collected 34 extra-base hits this year, while its five triples are tied for 14th in the country
• Leading all regular Duke starters in batting average (.316), freshman infielder Kyle Novak is currently on a six-game hitting streak, and has reached first in all but a single game this year

COMING UP NEXT
The Panthers return for a four-game home stand, starting with a rematch against visiting North Carolina A&T. HPU beat the Aggies 8-1 earlier this year, as they will face the side in their final test before starting conference play next Friday against Campbell. 

#GoHPU