CATONSVILLE, Md. (Interstat) — The NJIT Highlanders open a three-game America East series against the Maryland-Baltimore County Retrievers on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Alumni Field. Rain is in the forecast with a game-time temperature of 64 degrees.

Both teams will lean on key pitchers as they aim for momentum in the conference slate.

NJIT (16-28-1 overall) comes in off an 8-7 win over Boston College on Sunday. Right-hander Tade Riorden pitched 4.1 innings of one-hit relief, striking out two while allowing one earned run. Riorden has been effective in recent outings, tossing two scoreless innings with five strikeouts against Bryant on May 3. However, he allowed two earned runs without recording an out in a 5-2 loss to Bryant on May 2. Over his last five appearances, Riorden has a 2.84 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 12.2 innings.

First baseman Dillon Can and catcher Cole Campbell powered the win over Boston College. Can went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, while Campbell went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs.

The Highlanders have struggled to find consistency, dropping five of their last seven games. Their lone series win came against Albany on April 24-26, taking two of three.

UMBC (23-22) fell 9-8 at Towson on Tuesday. Right-hander Aidan Boice, who is expected to start Thursday, threw six innings of one-hit ball, allowing two earned runs and striking out five. Boice has been inconsistent, posting a 6.00 ERA over his last four starts, but his performance against Towson was his strongest of the season. Catcher Nico Ong also had a strong game, going 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs.

The Retrievers have won four of their last six, including a three-game sweep at Bryant from May 8-10.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, UMBC is projected to win 5-3, with a 56.30% probability.

The series continues Friday and Saturday at Alumni Field.