Rain Expected as Lehigh Visits Davidson in Saturday Matchup

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (Interstat) — The Lehigh Mountain Hawks and Davidson Wildcats are set to continue their weekend series Saturday afternoon at Intimidators Stadium, with wet weather in the forecast.

First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon, though evening conditions are also anticipated with a game-time temperature of 81 degrees and rain expected.

The Wildcats (4-7) took the series opener Friday, shutting out the Mountain Hawks (2-6). Both teams will look to find more consistent offense after struggling early in the season.

A key matchup will feature Lehigh right-hander Cole Leaman, who has been dominant in his last two starts despite receiving no decisions. Over his last 9 1/3 innings against George Mason and George Washington, Leaman has not allowed a hit, striking out 11 while giving up three earned runs. He was sharp in his last outing, throwing 5.0 hitless innings with six strikeouts in a 3-0 loss to George Mason on March 1.

Davidson will counter with right fielder Gavin Thomas as a primary offensive threat. Thomas homered and drove in two runs in Davidson’s 16-6 loss to Wake Forest on March 1.

Both teams are coming off recent struggles. Lehigh has lost four of its last five, including a 3-0 loss at George Mason on Sunday where Leaman and relievers Cole Kochanowicz and Shane O’Neill combined for 8.0 innings of one-hit ball. Davidson has dropped five of its last six, with its most recent win an 8-6 victory over Fairfield on Feb. 21.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Davidson 4, Lehigh 3.

The series concludes Sunday at Davidson. Lehigh will host Saint Peter’s next Wednesday, while Davidson will host Gardner-Webb next Tuesday.