AP Sports Preview: Saint Thomas (Minn.) at South Dakota State

BROOKINGS, S.D. (Interstat) — South Dakota State hosts Saint Thomas (Minn.) in a Summit League matchup Saturday evening at Erv Huether Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. The forecast calls for 72 degrees and cloudy.

The Jackrabbits (15-26) enter the game after a 16-13 victory over the Tommies on Friday in the series opener. South Dakota State holds a 3-1 edge in the season series, having also swept a doubleheader in St. Paul, Minnesota, on April 10 before dropping the series finale April 11.

Saint Thomas (8-34) has lost 10 of its last 11 games overall.

Players to watch

Saint Thomas left fielder Nolan Welke had one of the Tommies’ better performances in Friday’s loss, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Welke has been streaky at the plate over his last 10 games. He posted a 4-for-5, two-RBI game in a win at Omaha on April 26 and a 2-for-4, three-RBI effort in another victory at Omaha the previous day. However, he has gone 0-for-14 with five strikeouts in his other five games during that stretch, including an 0-for-4 against Iowa on May 5 and an 0-for-4 against Northwestern on April 22.

South Dakota State designated hitter Luke Luskey powered the Jackrabbits’ offense Friday, going 3-for-4 with a home run and five RBIs. Luskey has been the team’s most consistent hitter over the past week. He had a 4-for-6, two-homer, seven-RBI performance in a win at North Dakota State on May 3 and went 2-for-3 with an RBI against Saint Thomas on April 11. He has hit safely in six of his last nine games.

Series notes

The Tommies have lost three straight games overall and have not won a road game since the Omaha series. Second baseman Tanner Recchio went 2-for-6 with an RBI in Friday’s loss, and pitcher Will Pierro threw two scoreless innings of relief, allowing no hits and one earned run with one strikeout.

South Dakota State third baseman Nolan Grawe went 4-for-6 with two RBIs in Friday’s win. Catcher Luke Jones was 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

Looking ahead

The teams conclude the three-game series Sunday. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-2 win for South Dakota State, and its ELO system gives the Jackrabbits a 53.3% probability of victory.

South Dakota State travels to Omaha for a four-game series beginning Wednesday. Saint Thomas hosts North Dakota State for a three-game set starting Thursday.