(Interstat) — ARMY (15-11) AT HOLY CROSS (10-16)

WHEN: Saturday, 12:05 p.m.

WHERE: Fitton Field, Worcester, Mass.

SERIES: Patriot League opener of a doubleheader.

PROJECTION: Interstat’s game simulator projects an 8-5 Army victory, with its ELO rating giving the Black Knights a 60.2% probability to win.

OUTLOOK: Army brings momentum into the Patriot League series opener, having won five of its last six, including a 12-6 midweek victory over Cornell on Tuesday. The Black Knights’ 15-11 overall record contrasts with Holy Cross’s 10-16 start, though the Crusaders are coming off a 15-13 road win at Merrimack.

The teams met just three weeks ago in West Point, with Holy Cross taking the series opener 6-1 before Army rallied to win the next two, 5-1 and 10-4. In that March 15 finale, a 10-4 Holy Cross win, Crusaders first baseman Ryan Grundy went 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Grundy remains a key bat, driving in nine runs over his last four games, including a five-RBI performance Tuesday featuring a home run.

Army will look to reliever Michael Delph to stifle such threats. The right-hander has been sharp, allowing zero earned runs over his last 6 2/3 innings across four appearances, yielding just seven hits. He pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings in the win over Cornell.

The doubleheader begins a critical early conference set for both teams. Army continues its road swing at Fairfield on Tuesday before a series at Lehigh. Holy Cross hosts Stonehill on Tuesday before traveling to face Bucknell next weekend.