The Panthers are set to begin conference play this weekend, welcoming the Presbyterian Blue Hose to Williard Stadium for a three-game series. 

GAME INFO
Friday, March 17 - vs. Presbyterian (Williard Stadium) 2 p.m. (Moved from 6 p.m.)
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Saturday, March 18 - vs. Presbyterian (Williard Stadium) 6 p.m.
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Sunday, March 19 - vs. Presbyterian (Williard Stadium) 1 p.m.
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Matchup History

High Point is 21-13 all-time against Presbyterian. The Panthers swept the Blue Hose in a three-game series last season in Clinton, S.C. The Panthers are 11-7 against the Blue Hose all-time at home.

Across the Diamond

• Presbyterian is 7-11 this season.
• The Blue Hose have lost their last six games.
• The Blue Hose have played two midweek games this week. They lost 5-0 against South Carolina on Tuesday and lost to Duke 15-2 on Wednesday.
• Among Big South teams, Presbyterian pitchers have walked the fewest batters, issuing just 57 free passes this season. As a pitching staff, the Blue Hose have a 3.35 BB/9 ratio which is ranked 28th best in the nation.
• Last season, the Blue Hose went 22-32 overall and 9-15 in Big South play.
• Duncan Howard is expected to get the ball on Friday, followed by Fenix DiGiacomo on Saturday and Charlie McDaniel on Sunday. Howard has made two career starts against the Panthers and is 1-1 lifetime over 13.2 total innings of work.

Gone Streaking
Brett Ahalt sports an nine-game hitting streak heading into the weekend. The outfielder is hitting .447 over that span with four home runs and seven RBI. A hit in Friday's game would extend his hitting streak to 10 games, which would be a season-high set by any Panther this season.

Co-Freshman of the Week
Freshman, Brayden Simpson was named Big South Co-Freshman of the Week (Feb. 27-Mar. 5), after going 3-for-8 on the weekend series with eight RBI. He batted .444 to go along with a .571 slugging percentage.
 
Strikeout City
Gus Hughes set a new single game program record on Sunday, March 5th in the final game of the four-game series with Lafayette. Hughes 15 strikeouts during the seven-inning run-rule game surpassed the previous 13 strikeouts set in 2022 by Sam Garcia at North Carolina A&T. Hughes currently ranks within the top 25 in the country in strikeouts with 30.
 
Dingers
As a team, the Panthers have hit 28 home runs through the first 16 games of the season. It is the most home runs through the first 16 games of any season in program history.
 
Sutton Surpasses Home Run Total From 2022
With his eight home runs, catcher Blake Sutton surpassed his home run total from last season (5). Sutton hit five of his home runs through the first four games of the season and leads the Big South in home runs. His total is also tied for 12th in the nation.
 
Freshman Action
In the Lafayette series, the team witnessed the first collegiate starts for freshmen Brayden Simpson at second base and Jack Pokorak at first. Simpson recorded a game-high six RBIs on March 5th. Pokorak is hitting .379 through his first nine games as a Panther with two home runs and eight runs batted in.
 
On Base Machine
Adam Stuart has reached base in all 16 games this season. 

Hot Bats for Sutton
Sutton opened the 2023 season in quite the fashion... grand slam fashion to be exact. In the opening afternoon contest, the Bulldogs and Panthers were tied going into the bottom of the ninth, but with bases loaded, Sutton smacked a walk-off grand slam for HPU's first win of the season. Sutton was not done though. In less than 24 hours he hit two more home runs in the 7-6 win on Saturday afternoon, ending the series with a .364 batting average. The redshirt junior would hit two more home runs against Appalachian State for his second multi home run game of the season.

2^nd Ever Program Sweep for Opening Weekend
High Point opened the 2023 season with a series sweep over Bryant, marking the second time ever in program history. High Point started 3-0 for the first time since 2020.
 
HPU Picked Third in Preseason Poll
High Point was tabbed third in the Big South preseason coaches' poll on January 26th. Campbell was the league favorite with six first-place votes and 93 total points in the poll.
 
Quartet of Panthers Highlight D1 Baseball Big South Prospects
D1 Baseball released its top 40 2023 draft prospects from the Big South. Out of the 40-man list, Sam Garcia was ranked seventh, while pitchers Gus Hughes and Carter Sheppard were ranked 11th and 16th respectively. Outfielder Brett Ahalt also made the listing and placed 26th. 

D1 Baseball's Starting Pitchers
Garcia also made D1 Baseball's top 200 starting pitchers, coming in at 127.
 
New and Old Kids on the Block
High Point returns 11 pitchers and nine position players from last season, while adding 11 transfers and 10 freshmen to fill out the roster.
 
Last Season
High Point finished 2022 with a record of 22-33, 14-10 in Big South play finishing fourth in the Big South standings. HPU won 10 of its final 14 regular season games. The Panthers won 12 home games last season, doubling their home win total from the season before. High Point was eliminated by UNC Asheville in the 2022 Big South Tournament.