Navy Set to Host Maryland-Eastern Shore in Midweek Clash

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Interstat) — The Navy Midshipmen, riding a strong season, will host the struggling Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks in a nonconference baseball game Wednesday evening at Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium.

First pitch in Cape Saint Claire is set for 6:05 p.m. under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature near 59 degrees.

Navy (26-14) enters with momentum, having won three of its last four games, including a Patriot League series victory at Holy Cross last weekend. The Midshipmen are projected as heavy favorites; Interstat’s game simulator predicts a 7-2 Navy victory.

The Midshipmen will look to standout right-hander Matt Archibald to set the tone. The senior is in dominant form, having not allowed a hit in his last 10.1 innings pitched across two appearances. In his last four outings, including a win at Army, Archibald has struck out 40 batters while yielding just seven hits.

Maryland-Eastern Shore (7-27) seeks to halt a three-game skid after being swept by Mercyhurst over the weekend, culminating in a 14-1 loss on Sunday. The Hawks have lost 10 of their last 13 games.

A player to watch for the Hawks is right-hander Wlfredo Morales, who logged four innings of relief in Sunday’s loss, allowing two earned runs on five hits. His recent performances have been uneven, including a tough outing at Delaware State on April 12 where he allowed four earned runs without surrendering a hit over two innings.

Navy’s offense is paced by third baseman Evan Brown, who homered in Saturday’s 9-5 win at Holy Cross. The Midshipmen’s lineup will face a UMES pitching staff that has an 8.06 team ERA.

Following this game, Navy will prepare for a key Patriot League series at Bucknell this weekend. Maryland-Eastern Shore opens a three-game home series against Wagner on Friday.