Preview: Louisiana-Monroe at Appalachian State

BOONE, N.C. (Interstat) — The Appalachian State Mountaineers look to build on a decisive midweek victory when they host the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks in Sun Belt Conference baseball action Saturday at Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium.

First pitch is set for the afternoon. The weather forecast calls for clear skies and 69 degrees.

The series opener Friday saw Appalachian State (16-14) shut out Louisiana-Monroe (19-15). Saturday’s matchup projects as a tighter contest, with Interstat’s game simulator forecasting a 6-5 Mountaineers win.

Appalachian State enters with momentum from an 18-5 road win at UNC Asheville on Tuesday. Key to that offensive outburst was Steven Smith, who went 4 for 6 with two home runs and three RBIs. The versatile Smith, who also pitched a scoreless inning in that game, is batting .429 (9 for 21) with five RBIs over his last five games.

Louisiana-Monroe rebounded from its Friday loss with a 9-4 home win over Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday. A player to watch for the Warhawks is reliever Cash Dabbs, who was dominant in that victory, tossing four scoreless innings with five strikeouts. Over his last four appearances, Dabbs has allowed just two hits and zero earned runs in 8 2/3 innings.

The Warhawks have won four of their last six games overall. The Mountaineers have won three of their last four.

The teams conclude the three-game series Sunday afternoon.