LEWISBURG, Pa. (Interstat) — Duke McCarron and two relievers combined on a three-hit shutout Friday as Saint Joseph’s opened a weekend series with a 2-0 victory over Bucknell at Eugene B. Depew Field.

The Hawks (4-7) managed just seven hits but made two runs stand up behind dominant pitching that struck out 15 Bison batters. Bucknell fell to 3-8.

The most important part of the game was the collective effort of the Saint Joseph’s pitching staff, which faced minimal threat all afternoon. The Bison advanced a runner to third base only once, and no runner reached second after the fifth inning.

McCarron, the Saint Joseph’s starter, was the catalyst. The right-hander delivered five perfect innings, striking out seven. His performance marked a dramatic turnaround from his previous start on Feb. 27, when he allowed six earned runs in a loss to Wofford. McCarron set down all 15 batters he faced Friday, efficiently handing the game to the bullpen.

Christian Coppola replaced McCarron to start the sixth and was equally overpowering. He struck out six over three perfect innings of his own, extending the combined perfect game bid into the ninth. Andrew Gaines closed it out in the ninth, working around a two-out walk to secure the shutout.

The Hawks’ pitchers were supported by just enough offense against a strong outing from Bucknell’s Jonathan Adelmann. Adelmann took a hard-luck loss, allowing one run on four hits over seven innings while striking out five.

Saint Joseph’s broke through in the fourth inning. Blake Primrose led off with a triple to center field and scored on Joey Pagano’s RBI single to first base. The Hawks added an insurance run in the eighth off reliever Mikey Myro. After a two-out single by Joey Gale, Alex Kelsey drove him in with an RBI triple to right-center field.

Primrose and Richard Beggy each had two of Saint Joseph’s seven hits. Bucknell’s three hits were all singles, with Garrett Mathias recording the only extra-base hit, a second-inning double.

The game defied the projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 3-2 Bucknell victory. The Hawks’ win probability based on ELO ratings was 55.7%.

The teams are scheduled to continue their three-game series Saturday at Bucknell before concluding Sunday at Saint Joseph’s.