Preview: Indiana State at Western Kentucky

HADLEY, Ky. (Interstat) — The Indiana State Sycamores and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, both seeking a winning record, continue their weekend series Saturday at Nick Denes Field.

First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon. The forecast calls for 79-degree temperatures and cloudy skies.

Both teams enter at .500. Indiana State is 6-6 overall after dropping an 11-inning, 9-8 decision at Penn State last Sunday. Western Kentucky is 7-7 following a 5-2 home loss to Cincinnati on Tuesday.

The teams opened the series Friday night.

A player to watch for the Sycamores is third baseman Mason Roell. He is coming off a powerful performance at Penn State, going 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs. In his last five games, Roell has two home runs and four RBIs.

For the Hilltoppers, right-hander Gage Olsen is a key arm. Olsen has been inconsistent but dominant at times. On Feb. 21 against Southeast Missouri State, he fired 4 2/3 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts. However, in his last outing Tuesday, he allowed one earned run over three innings against Cincinnati.

Indiana State has shown resilience, winning three of its last five games. Western Kentucky has split its last six contests.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Indiana State is projected for a narrow 6-5 victory.

The series concludes Sunday afternoon. Indiana State visits Vanderbilt on Tuesday, while Western Kentucky hosts Florida International next Friday to open conference play.