SOUTH ALABAMA, GEORGIA SOUTHERN SET FOR SUN BELT MATCHUP

STATESBORO, Ga. (Interstat) — The South Alabama Jaguars and Georgia Southern Eagles continue their Sun Belt Conference series Saturday at J.I. Clements Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for the evening. The forecast calls for clear skies and 77 degrees.

South Alabama (19-14) looks to rebound after dropping the series opener 1-0 on Friday night. The Jaguars had won four of their previous five games prior to Friday’s loss. In their most recent outing, a 7-5 midweek loss at Alabama State on Wednesday, pitcher Hayden O’Dell turned in a strong relief performance, throwing six hitless innings with one earned run and five strikeouts.

O’Dell is a player to watch for the Jaguars. The right-hander has been inconsistent but capable of dominance, as shown in his six-inning, one-run outing against Alabama State and a seven-strikeout performance in a win over Alabama on March 17.

Georgia Southern (11-21) snapped a four-game skid with Friday’s shutout victory. The Eagles’ bullpen will be key, with Alex Mason serving as a pivotal arm. Mason has had mixed results recently, allowing four earned runs over four innings in a win at Texas State on April 3 but also posting scoreless outings against College of Charleston and James Madison in March.

Offensively, the Eagles will rely on power after Frank Wells and Brady Christman each hit home runs in their last game, a 15-5 loss in eight innings at Texas State on April 3.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Georgia Southern is projected to win 6-4.

The series concludes Sunday afternoon. South Alabama hosts Nicholls State on Tuesday. Georgia Southern travels to face Georgia Tech on Tuesday.