PREVIEW: Southern Miss visits James Madison in Sun Belt series finale

HARRISONBURG, Va. (Interstat) — Southern Mississippi looks to complete a three-game series sweep Saturday when it faces James Madison in a Sun Belt Conference matchup at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 68 degrees under cloudy skies.

The Golden Eagles (35-14, 16-8 Sun Belt) enter Saturday’s contest after an 8-5 win Friday night. Southern Miss has won seven of its last 10 games and owns the conference’s second-best overall record.

James Madison (20-27, 9-15) has lost four straight and 10 of its last 12. The Dukes are 11-14 at home this season.

Players to watch

Southern Mississippi right-hander Colby Allen has been dominant in recent relief outings. Over his last eight appearances, the 6-foot-3 sophomore has posted 19 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings while allowing two earned runs. In Friday night’s win, Allen threw three scoreless innings, striking out six without allowing a hit. He has not allowed a run in seven of his last eight outings dating to April 12.

James Madison right-hander Patrick Bauer is expected to start. Bauer took the loss Friday, allowing seven hits and two earned runs over five innings while striking out four. The junior has struggled this season, posting a 1-5 record with a 6.20 ERA. He has allowed at least three earned runs in four of his last six starts.

Series history

Southern Miss has won the first two games of this weekend series. The Golden Eagles took Friday’s contest 8-5 behind Allen’s relief work and a home run from designated hitter Drey Barrett, who went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Grayden Harris started for Southern Miss, allowing four earned runs on no hits over 4 1/3 innings.

James Madison got a strong outing from reliever Tyler Muscar, who threw two scoreless innings. First baseman Wyatt Campbell went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Projections

Interstat’s game simulator forecasts an 8-4 Southern Miss victory. The ELO-based system gives the Golden Eagles a 78.6 percent probability of winning.

Up next

The teams conclude the series Sunday. Southern Miss returns home to host Georgia Southern in a three-game series starting May 14. James Madison travels to Old Dominion for a three-game set beginning the same day.