SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE BASEBALL PREVIEW

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking a spark to their struggling seasons will meet Friday when Alabama A&M hosts Alcorn State in a Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball series opener at Bulldog Field.

First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon under clear skies with a temperature near 53 degrees.

The Bulldogs (3-13) and Braves (1-14) enter the three-game set with a combined four wins this season. Alabama A&M is projected as a strong favorite, with Interstat’s ELO system giving it a 64.8% chance to win and its game simulator predicting a 1-0 final score.

Alcorn State, mired in a 10-game losing streak, will look to right-hander Henry Allred for a boost. Allred has shown recent flashes, striking out three in a perfect inning of relief Tuesday in a 13-2 loss at Northwestern State. However, he allowed five earned runs over 0.2 combined innings in his two appearances prior.

Alabama A&M, which has lost eight of its last nine, is coming off a 6-4 loss at Samford on Tuesday. Right fielder Keondre Fields provided the bulk of the offense in that game, hitting a three-run home run. Fields, a player to watch for the Bulldogs, is 4 for his last 24 at the plate.

The Braves’ last victory was a 15-7 home win over Mississippi Valley State on March 1. Since then, they have been outscored 96-19 during their skid.

Alabama A&M took two of three games from Alcorn State in their series last season.

The series continues with games on Saturday and Sunday afternoon at Bulldog Field.