Preview: Jackson State Tigers at Seattle Redhawks

BELLEVUE, Wash. (Interstat) — The Jackson State Tigers and Seattle Redhawks, both seeking momentum early in the season, open a three-game series at Bannerwood Park on Friday afternoon.

First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. under cloudy skies with temperatures in the mid-40s.

Jackson State (5-7) enters having dropped its last contest, an 11-6 road loss to New Orleans on Tuesday. The Tigers have shown inconsistency, alternating wins and losses over their last six games.

Seattle (2-10) looks to snap a three-game skid after falling 7-3 to Holy Cross on Monday. The Redhawks’ struggles have been pronounced, with their only wins coming in a 10-inning victory over Holy Cross and a high-scoring affair at Washington.

A key matchup will feature pitchers who have provided bright spots for their teams. Jackson State will rely on right-hander Kade Walker, who has been effective in recent relief appearances. Over his last three outings spanning 11 innings, Walker has allowed just four earned runs on five hits while striking out 11. He was sharp in Tuesday’s loss, throwing two hitless, scoreless innings with three strikeouts.

For Seattle, right-hander Jake Morell has been a reliable arm out of the bullpen. In his last five appearances, covering 9.2 innings, Morell has not allowed a run, surrendering only two hits and striking out 17 batters. He pitched 3.1 innings with six strikeouts in Monday’s defeat.

At the plate, Jackson State’s Diego Melendez drove in two runs in the Tuesday loss. Seattle’s Preston Armstrong provided most of the Redhawks’ offense Monday with a three-run home run.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Jackson State is projected to win Friday’s opener by a score of 4-2.

The series continues at Bannerwood Park with games on Saturday and Sunday.