Preview: Kansas State Wildcats at Wichita State Shockers

WICHITA, Kan. (Interstat) — Intrastate rivals Kansas State and Wichita State will meet for the second time this season Tuesday night at Eck Stadium, with both teams looking to build momentum ahead of crucial conference series this weekend.

The Wildcats (19-11) enter after dropping two of three at home to TCU, including a 4-0 shutout loss Sunday. The Shockers (18-12) are coming off a series loss to Tulane, falling 8-1 on Saturday.

Kansas State won the previous meeting this season, 7-5 in Manhattan on March 10. In that game, Wildcats reliever Cohen Feser earned the win with 3 1/3 innings of work, while Wichita State’s Dax Sharp was tagged with the loss after allowing one earned run in an inning of relief. Both pitchers are expected to be key figures again Tuesday.

Feser, a player to watch for the Wildcats, has been a reliable arm out of the bullpen. He pitched two scoreless innings with three strikeouts in Sunday’s loss. In his last outing against the Shockers, he allowed two earned runs over 3 1/3 frames.

For Wichita State, Dax Sharp provides a multi-inning option. He threw three scoreless innings with three strikeouts against Tulane on Saturday. However, he struggled in his brief appearance against Kansas State last month.

Offensively, Kansas State’s lineup has shown potency, scoring 13 or more runs in three of its last 10 games. Wichita State’s offense has been inconsistent, held to one run in three of its last five contests.

Projections are split. Interstat’s game simulator predicts a 5-4 victory for the Shockers, while its ELO rating system gives the Wildcats a 63.5% probability to win.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under cloudy skies with temperatures around 65 degrees.

Kansas State opens a three-game home series with Oklahoma State on Friday. Wichita State travels to face UAB for a three-game set starting the same day.