Preview: Delaware Blue Hens at Saint Joseph’s Hawks

MERION STATION, Pa. (Interstat) — The Saint Joseph’s Hawks will look to continue their strong season when they host the struggling Delaware Blue Hens in a nonconference matchup Wednesday afternoon at Smithson Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. under clear skies with a temperature near 56 degrees.

The Hawks (25-12) enter riding high after taking two of three from George Mason last weekend, including a 17-9 victory Saturday where the offense exploded. The Blue Hens (11-29) limp in after being swept in a three-game series at Middle Tennessee, managing just one run over the final two games.

This is a rematch of a March 18 meeting in Newark, Delaware, where the Blue Hens routed the Hawks 18-0. Saint Joseph’s will be eager to avenge that result on its home field.

A player to watch for Delaware is pitcher Doug Marose. The right-hander has been a bright spot recently, coming off 3 1/3 hitless innings of relief with two strikeouts on Sunday. In his last start on March 28, he allowed two earned runs over six innings with six strikeouts against Kennesaw State.

Saint Joseph’s counters with a hot bat in outfielder Joey Pagano. He drove in five runs, including a home run, in Saturday’s win over George Mason. Pagano has six RBIs in his last five games and provides a key power threat in the middle of the Hawks’ lineup.

The teams are on divergent paths. Saint Joseph’s has won 10 of its last 13 games, while Delaware has lost 12 of its last 14.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the Hawks are projected to win 7-1.

Following this game, Saint Joseph’s begins an Atlantic 10 series at La Salle on Friday. Delaware opens a Conference USA series at Liberty on Friday.