PREVIEW: Prairie View hosts Mississippi Valley State in SWAC series finale

HEMPSTEAD, Texas (Interstat) — Prairie View aims for a series sweep Saturday when the Panthers host Mississippi Valley State in a Southwestern Athletic Conference matchup at Tankersley Field.

The Panthers (11-34) have won the first two games of the three-game set, defeating the Delta Devils 5-3 on Friday and 11-1 on Thursday. Saturday’s game is scheduled for the afternoon under partly cloudy skies, with a game-time temperature of 83 degrees.

A key player for Prairie View is right-handed reliever Ty Pankonin, who earned the win Friday by tossing three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out three. Over his past four appearances, Pankonin has surrendered one earned run in 9⅓ innings, with seven strikeouts. He has been a steady presence out of the bullpen for a pitching staff that has struggled overall.

Mississippi Valley State (12-35) will counter with right-hander Luke Richard, who started Friday’s loss but did not factor in the decision. Richard worked six innings, giving up five earned runs on zero hits — an unusual line that included four walks and four strikeouts. He has lost his last five decisions and has an 8.22 ERA over his past six outings, including a 10-hit, six-run performance against Southern on May 1.

The Delta Devils are last in the SWAC and have dropped eight of their last nine games. Their lone win in that stretch came May 9 against Jackson State in a 13-11 slugfest.

Prairie View’s offense has shown occasional pop. Designated hitter Zacarias Salinas hit a two-run homer Friday and drove in two runs. Center fielder Gabriel Huelsing also homered for Mississippi Valley State in the loss.

The Panthers have alternated wins and losses over their last 10 games and sit near the bottom of the conference standings alongside Mississippi Valley State.

A simulation by Interstat projects Prairie View winning 5-1.

Mississippi Valley State will need a strong start from Richard to slow a Prairie View lineup that has scored 16 runs in the first two games of the series. The Panthers’ pitching, however, has been inconsistent, allowing 10 or more runs seven times this season.

First pitch is set for the afternoon at Tankersley Field.