FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Interstat) — The Marist Red Foxes and Fairfield Stags meet Sunday afternoon at Webster Bank Arena in a pivotal Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference matchup, with both teams looking to gain momentum in the final weeks of the regular season.

First pitch is set for 2 p.m., though the forecast calls for rain and temperatures around 59 degrees, which could complicate the schedule.

Marist (19-27) enters after splitting a doubleheader Friday at Fairfield, winning the opener 4-3 before dropping the nightcap 4-0. The Red Foxes have struggled to find consistency, going 5-5 in their last 10 games. Fairfield (23-20) has won four of its last six and holds a slight edge in the season series at 2-1.

The projected starter for Marist is right-hander Andrew Fierro, who impressed Friday in the Red Foxes’ win, throwing 6 1/3 shutout innings with eight strikeouts and allowing just one earned run. Fierro owns a 3-4 record and a 4.60 ERA this season, but has been sharp in his last two outings, including a 3-inning, seven-strikeout performance against Sacred Heart on May 3.

Fairfield counters with left-hander Ben Alekson, who silenced Marist’s bats in Friday’s 4-0 victory, tossing six scoreless innings with one strikeout and two hits allowed. Alekson (5-2, 3.12 ERA) has been a steady presence in the Stags’ rotation, though he struggled in his previous start at Quinnipiac, allowing three earned runs in 5 1/3 innings.

The Stags’ offense has been bolstered by outfielder Matthew Bucciero, who drove in the game’s only run Friday. Fairfield is averaging 6.1 runs per game in their last five contests.

A simulation by Interstat projects a 6-5 victory for Fairfield, reflecting the closely matched nature of the two teams.

Following Sunday’s game, Marist hosts Bryant for a three-game series starting Thursday, while Fairfield welcomes New Haven on Tuesday before a weekend trip to Sacred Heart.

With rain in the forecast, both teams may need to rely on their bullpens for extended innings. The Red Foxes’ Jack Sullivan threw 2 2/3 innings of relief Friday, striking out five, and could be available again Sunday. The Stags’ Jimmy Mulvaney also pitched two scoreless innings in that game.

The MAAC tournament is less than two weeks away, and every win carries extra weight.