Troy at Louisiana-Monroe
MONROE, La. (Interstat) — Troy and Louisiana-Monroe wrap up their Sun Belt series Saturday with a doubleheader at Warhawk Field, the first game in the afternoon and the second in the evening.
The Trojans (28-26) took the series opener 6-4 on Thursday, then were shut out Friday. The Warhawks (26-27) are looking to even the set at home.
Saturday’s forecast calls for 86 degrees and cloudy skies.
On the mound for Troy will be right-hander Benjamin Stubbs, who earned the win Thursday by tossing 5 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on no hits while striking out five. Stubbs has been uneven recently, giving up seven earned runs in a loss to South Alabama on May 8 and five earned runs in a defeat to Appalachian State on May 2. He did, however, throw six innings of one-hit ball in the victory over ULM.
Louisiana-Monroe counter with right-hander Seth Cooper, who also worked Thursday’s game. Cooper threw 4 1/3 innings, surrendering no earned runs on two hits with three strikeouts. Over his last three outings — all in relief — Cooper has not allowed an earned run over 9 2/3 innings, though he was on the losing end in two of those appearances. He has yet to earn a decision this season.
The Trojans have won five of their last seven games. Their offense has been powered by third baseman Josh Pyne, who homered and drove in a run in Thursday’s win. Left-hander Zach Crotchfelt also contributed 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.
Louisiana-Monroe has dropped four of its last five, including a 13-10 loss at Marshall on May 9 and a 7-5 win over the Thundering Herd on May 10. Right fielder Jake Griffith went 2-for-3 with an RBI in Thursday’s loss.
Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-3 victory for Troy in both ends of the doubleheader.
First pitch for the afternoon game is set for 2 p.m. CDT, with the nightcap to follow at approximately 6 p.m.