Rain Expected as Hot Buccaneers Visit Struggling Dukes

HARRISONBURG, Va. (Interstat) — The East Tennessee State Buccaneers, riding a strong start to the season, will look to weather a forecast of rain and a determined James Madison squad when the teams open a three-game series Friday evening at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. under threatening skies, with game-time temperatures near 70 degrees and rain in the forecast.

The Buccaneers (9-3) enter with momentum, having won seven of their last eight games, including a three-game sweep of Quinnipiac last weekend. Their most recent outing was a 7-1 loss at Tennessee on Tuesday, though the bullpen provided a bright spot with 4.2 scoreless innings of relief.

A key arm in that relief corps is player to watch Cooper Jones. The right-hander has been excellent in his last three appearances, tossing 3.2 hitless and scoreless innings with two strikeouts, including 1.2 perfect frames against the Volunteers.

They face a James Madison team (5-6) seeking consistency. The Dukes are coming off an 11-2 home loss to George Mason on Tuesday but had won two of their previous three, including a road victory at Michigan State.

JMU will rely on player to watch Patrick Bauer, a pitcher who has shown recent effectiveness. Bauer delivered three scoreless innings of relief against George Mason, allowing three hits and striking out one. His season has been uneven, but he provides a reliable arm out of the bullpen.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-5 victory for East Tennessee State.

The series continues with games on Saturday and Sunday in Harrisonburg before both teams embark on extended non-conference stretches. The Buccaneers will host Bradley next weekend, while the Dukes will travel to Radford before a home series against Georgia Southern.