PREVIEW: Harvard at Princeton

PRINCETON, N.J. (Interstat) — The Harvard Crimson and Princeton Tigers open a critical Ivy League doubleheader at 1 p.m. Saturday at Bill Clarke Field, with both teams seeking momentum after difficult seasons. The forecast calls for 62-degree clouds.

Harvard (8-26) arrives in last place, having lost nine of its last 10 games. The Crimson are coming off a 12-9 defeat Tuesday at Holy Cross, where third baseman Jordan Kang went 4-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs, extending a streaky stretch. In his past 10 games, Kang has posted four multi-hit performances and driven in 11 runs, but he also has been held hitless in five of those contests, including a 0-for-4 against Yale on April 12. Despite the inconsistency, he leads a lineup that has struggled to generate runs outside of its outbursts.

Princeton (14-24) has won three of its last four, including a 5-1 victory Wednesday over Siena. Right-hander James Beasley delivered a dominant start in that game, tossing six shutout innings while allowing five hits and no walks. However, Beasley’s season has been uneven: he owns a 9.00 ERA in his other four appearances this month, including a rocky outing April 22 when he surrendered five earned runs in three innings against Wagner. The Tigers will likely lean on him in a starting role, though his recent volatility makes him a question mark.

Both teams are playing only each other this weekend, with a single game scheduled Sunday. The doubleheader format could test pitching depth for both staffs. Harvard has lost seven straight Ivy series, while Princeton has won two of its last three.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-2 Princeton victory, citing the Tigers’ superior recent form and home-field advantage. For Harvard to upset, Kang will need to replicate his Holy Cross production, while Princeton hopes Beasley can follow his Siena outing with another efficient start.

First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Saturday.