Quinnipiac, Marist Open MAAC Series in Poughkeepsie

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Quinnipiac Bobcats and Marist Red Foxes open a three-game Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference series Friday at James J. McCann Baseball Field.

First pitch is scheduled for the evening. The forecast calls for cloudy skies and a temperature near 59 degrees.

Quinnipiac (13-17) enters after a 9-2 midweek loss at Rhode Island on Wednesday. The Bobcats had won their previous MAAC series, taking two of three from Niagara last weekend.

Marist (10-19) last played on April 4, dropping the rubber game of its series at Rider, 9-3. The Red Foxes won the middle game of that set 8-3.

A key matchup features two reliable arms from each bullpen. Quinnipiac’s Jacob Belecky has been sharp lately, posting 4.1 scoreless innings of relief over his last two appearances, allowing just three hits with six strikeouts. For Marist, Steven Mazza is coming off a dominant five-inning outing at Rider on April 4, where he allowed no hits and one earned run while striking out five.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a narrow 6-5 victory for Quinnipiac. Its ELO rating system gives the Bobcats a slight edge, with a 50.40% probability to win.

The series continues with afternoon games on Saturday and Sunday.