NORFOLK, Va. (Interstat) — The Fairleigh Dickinson Knights and Norfolk State Spartans conclude their three-game Northeast Conference series Sunday with a doubleheader at Bud Metheny Baseball Complex. First pitch for the afternoon game is scheduled for 1 p.m., with the evening game to follow. The forecast calls for 72-degree temperatures and rain.

Fairleigh Dickinson (30-16-1) has won two of its last three games against Norfolk State, including a 10-8 victory Saturday to even the series after dropping Friday’s opener 8-6. The Knights, who lead the all-time series, enter on a strong run. Their offense has produced double-digit runs in four of their past five wins.

Norfolk State (18-27-1) has lost seven of its last 10 games. The Spartans have struggled to string together consistent performances, though they showed resilience Friday by rallying past the Knights.

Players to watch

Fairleigh Dickinson second baseman Caleb Walker has been the Knights’ most productive hitter in the series. In Saturday’s win, he went 3 for 5 with a home run and four RBIs. Over his past four games, Walker is 5 for 10 with two homers and seven RBIs. He has reached base safely in 10 of his past 11 contests.

Norfolk State first baseman Cam Mazell matched Walker’s output Saturday, going 3 for 5 with a homer and an RBI. Mazell is 5 for 16 in the series and has driven in at least one run in three of his last four games.

Pitching

Fairleigh Dickinson’s Nick Noble threw three scoreless innings of relief Saturday, allowing no hits and striking out four. Norfolk State’s bullpen has been shaky; CJ Patterson and Ryan Sellers combined for 2 1/3 scoreless innings in that game, but the Spartans’ staff has allowed 10 or more runs in four of their last eight losses.

Projection

Interstat’s game simulator projects an 8-5 Fairleigh Dickinson win in the opener.

Up next

Fairleigh Dickinson returns to New Jersey to host Long Island for a three-game series starting Thursday. Norfolk State travels to Virginia Military Institute on Tuesday before a weekend series at Stonehill.